Kentucky-based proprietor John Stewart applauds the profitable purse construction that his 2024 personal buy Goliath will likely be competing for Nov. 24 within the Japan Cup (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse earlier than including with amusing, “The Japanese are very, very hospitable folks however I do not suppose they need me to take that cash dwelling on Sunday.”
Sure the aggressive juices are flowing this week because the ¥959,260,000 (about US$6.2 million) Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse resides as much as its worldwide billing behind a trio of completed invaders offering an actual risk to finish the host nation’s 18 straight victories within the 2,400-meter (about 1 1/2-mile) turf race for 3-year-olds and older.
Stewart made the journey to the Far East to see if Goliath can publish a 3rd straight group/graded stakes win after an Oct. 20 victory within the Prix du Conseil de Paris (G2) at ParisLongchamp. That marked the primary begin for Goliath underneath Stewart’s Resolute Bloodstock banner as he bought a three-quarter curiosity within the 4-year-old Adlerflug gelding after his 2 1/4-length victory within the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) July 27 at Royal Ascot. Breeder and authentic proprietor Baron Philip Von Ullmann stayed in as a minority proprietor.
“I believe Goliath is the kind of horse that everybody deserves to see, and in order that’s why we wish to attempt to make him obtainable in these contests all around the world,” Stewart mentioned. “Japan’s the primary cease, and we’re very excited.”
ANGST: Japan Cup Victory Would Carry Further Which means for Stewart
The powerful King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes area included Auguste Rodin , who completed fifth. The 2023 winner of the Epsom Derby (G1) and Irish Derby (G1), who closed out that sophomore season with a victory within the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) at Santa Anita Park, will attempt to avenge that defeat Sunday in what will likely be his remaining profession begin.
Auguste Rodin wins the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot Racecourse
The son of Japan’s seven-time main sire Deep Affect figures to have loads of native fan help. The Japan Racing Affiliation plans to honor him in a ceremony Sunday, win or lose. Campaigned by the Coolmore-affiliated homeowners Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, and Westerberg, Auguste Rodin’s connections will likely be searching for a seventh grade/group 1 win. Ought to he pull it off, he would boast top-level victories on three continents.
ANGST: Japan Racing Affiliation to Rejoice Auguste Rodin
Coach Aidan O’Brien mentioned it was honest to check Auguste Rodin’s clean stride to that of his late sire Deep Affect.
“We at all times ask the jockeys how the horses really feel and often the very particular horses solely take one or two strides they usually really feel completely different,” O’Brien mentioned. “That implies that they really feel very clean, that they solely really feel like they’re gliding over the bottom quite than hitting the bottom. And from day one, Auguste Rodin has felt like that.
“When you watch him, his motion, he floats throughout the bottom quite than hitting the bottom. So he is extremely gentle on his ft. And I believe his dad was like that, and his granddad (Sunday Silence) was like that as nicely.”
Rounding out the trio of worldwide runners is Implausible Moon , who received the Grosser Preis von Baden (G1) in September earlier than a ninth-place end within the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1). There figures to be loads of curiosity in Sunday’s race in Germany as Implausible Moon and Goliath have been each bred in that nation.
Whereas there isn’t a local-based runner this yr as completed as Equinox , who secured his second Japan Horse of the Yr title in addition to the Longines World’s Finest Racehorse honors following his four-length victory within the 2023 Japan Cup, the 11 native runners are formidable.
Main the best way is Do Deuce, a 5-year-old son of Coronary heart’s Cry who earned champion honors in Japan at 2, received the 2022 Japanese Derby (G1) at 3, and can search for his fifth grade 1 rating Sunday. He enters off a 1 1/4-length victory within the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1) Oct. 27 on the identical course.
Do Deuce wins the Tenno Sho (Autumn) at Tokyo Racecourse
“There is not a lot time between races, however the whole lot has gone easily,” mentioned common rider Yutaka Take. “He is on his toes and I used to be once more requested to present him a stable exercise. There was no injury from the final race and his footwork is superb.”
Whereas Equinox is retired to stud, his coach, Tetsuya Kimura, is again within the race with this yr’s Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) (G1) winner Cervinia. Kimura famous that the load assignments are engaging. Cervinia will carry 54 kilograms whereas older male rivals will tote 58 kilograms. He mentioned it could be particular to ship out the third 3-year-old filly to win the Japan Cup.
“That might be one thing that will be remembered for years to return,” Kimura mentioned by means of an interpreter.
The race is scheduled for 3:40 p.m. native time Sunday, which is 1:40 a.m. ET.