Urban Chic confirmed himself a very smart stayer in the making by landing Sunday's Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) at Kyoto.
Racing on the outside in the middle of the pack under Christophe Lemaire, he flew rounding the home turn to pass Yutaka Take's Admire Terra and kept on over the full 3000m to score by two and a half lengths from Redentor, with Admire Terra a further nose back in third. The favourite and Tokyo Yushun winner Danon Decile, who was settled on the inside under Norihiro Yokoyama, couldn't keep up when the pace increased and finished only sixth.
Racing Post
Japan
Moderators: Roguelet, WaveMaster, K~2, Jorge
Re: Japan
Kentucky-based owner John Stewart applauds the lucrative purse structure that his 2024 private purchase Goliath will be competing for Nov. 24 in the Japan Cup (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse before adding with a laugh, "The Japanese are very, very hospitable people but I don't think they want me to take that money home on Sunday."
Yes the competitive juices are flowing this week as the ¥959,260,000 (about US$6.2 million) Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse is living up to its international billing behind a trio of accomplished invaders providing a real threat to end the host country's 18 straight victories in the 2,400-meter (about 1 1/2-mile) turf race for 3-year-olds and older.
Bloodhorse.
https://youtu.be/GmhGuuifBMk?si=58yHtzEB173i11S1
Yes the competitive juices are flowing this week as the ¥959,260,000 (about US$6.2 million) Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse is living up to its international billing behind a trio of accomplished invaders providing a real threat to end the host country's 18 straight victories in the 2,400-meter (about 1 1/2-mile) turf race for 3-year-olds and older.
Bloodhorse.
https://youtu.be/GmhGuuifBMk?si=58yHtzEB173i11S1
Re: Japan
1 (3)
Racing Post
Runner Jacket
3.
Do Deuce (JPN) 13/10F
Yutaka Take
Yasuo Tomomichi
5 92 – – – –
2 (7)
nk
Runner Jacket
7.
Shin Emperor (FR) 26/1
Ryusei Sakai
Yoshito Yahagi
3 811 – – – –
2 (10)
dht
Runner Jacket
10.
Durezza (JPN) 152/10
William Buick
Tomohito Ozeki
4 92 – – – –
4 (9)
2½
[2¾]
Runner Jacket
9.
Cervinia (JPN) 3/1
Christophe-Patrice Lemaire
Tetsuya Kimura
3 87 – – – –
5 (4)
hd
[3]
Runner Jacket
4.
Justin Palace (JPN) 26/5
Cristian Demuro
Haruki Sugiyama
5 92 – – – –
6 (1)
hd
[3¼]
Runner Jacket
1.
Goliath (GER) 148/10
Christophe Soumillon
F-H Graffard
Racing Post
Runner Jacket
3.
Do Deuce (JPN) 13/10F
Yutaka Take
Yasuo Tomomichi
5 92 – – – –
2 (7)
nk
Runner Jacket
7.
Shin Emperor (FR) 26/1
Ryusei Sakai
Yoshito Yahagi
3 811 – – – –
2 (10)
dht
Runner Jacket
10.
Durezza (JPN) 152/10
William Buick
Tomohito Ozeki
4 92 – – – –
4 (9)
2½
[2¾]
Runner Jacket
9.
Cervinia (JPN) 3/1
Christophe-Patrice Lemaire
Tetsuya Kimura
3 87 – – – –
5 (4)
hd
[3]
Runner Jacket
4.
Justin Palace (JPN) 26/5
Cristian Demuro
Haruki Sugiyama
5 92 – – – –
6 (1)
hd
[3¼]
Runner Jacket
1.
Goliath (GER) 148/10
Christophe Soumillon
F-H Graffard