25th running of the Japan Cup 6th running of the Japan Cup Dirt
November 23, 2005 (Wednesday)
< Tokyo Racecourse >
⇒ FOREIGN ENTRIES-JAPAN CUP
WARRSAN (IRE, h7, bay)
--walked 1/4 lap, jogged 3/4 lap, walked 1/4 lap, cantered 3/4 lap
(6F: 78.7, 5F: 64.4, 4F: 51.0, 3F: 36.8, 1F: 12.2)
(exercised from 7:48 to 8:10, ridden by P. Reape)
How was the horse this morning?
“I’m very happy with the horse, especially as his heart rate and breathing recovered in just 8 minutes after his work this morning. He’s traveled well and he’s recovering well from the long journey. His workout was very good and even though he wasn’t driven very hard at all, the time was very good for a mile and a half horse at 12.2 seconds over the last furlong.
How is he compared to last year?
“He lost 9 kg’s last year coming to Japan, but this year he’s only lost 4, which is nothing we didn’t expect. We kept him out of the Breeders’ Cup this year on purpose so as to keep him fresh and give him a better chance.”
This is his second attempt in the Japan Cup.
“We thought there was nothing against his second challenge since he’s such a good traveler. I was mystified by the disappointing results last year because there was nothing physically wrong with him, so I thought maybe he may have lost his enthusiasm as a racehorse and that he may not come back. But after a few starts this year, he’s come back to his form and is in much the same condition as he was last year. The only difference would be that I’ve kept him fresh coming into the race and it’s shown in his work this morning.”
How will the going suit him?
“As you can see by this morning’s training, without pressing the button, he showed very good results. His speed has not declined. He only lost to Refuse Bend by a neck at the ’04 Eclipse Stakes which means he has enough speed. I’m not worried at all about a fast-paced race.”
What is his ideal race development?
“He can race from either up front or from the rear, so it doesn’t really matter. He started from an outside draw last year and he wasn’t able to get involved into the race, so this time we’re hoping for something between 3 and 10.”
Who are your rivals?
“It is my principle not to worry about the other horses in the race. My job is to bring the horse to it’s best condition, and once the rein’s are in the hands of the jockey, it’s his job from there on.”
How much confidence do you have in your horse?
“He’s much more refreshed this year, so we’re looking forward to a good run.”
What kind of training will you do up to the race?
“I’ll like to give him a gallop once he’s had his racing plates on so we’ll be giving him a 5 furlong breeze on Friday.”
(comments taken from C. Brittain)
BAGO (FRA, c4, dark bay or brown)
--walked 1/4 lap, jogged 3/4 lap, walked 1/4 lap, cantered 3/4 lap
(5F: 74.8, 4F: 57.9, 3F: 42.1, 1F: 13.7)
(exercised from 7:55 to 8:20, ridden by S. Quennesson).
How was his campaign this year?
“After winning his first race, he was out of form for a while with a back problem. But after having chiropractic treatment he was better in the King George and ran a very good race in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The going was terrible at the Breeders’ Cup and Thierry said that the track was so muddy to the point of being sticky—Bago needs a firm going. It’s nice to see sunshine and dry weather here.”
When did you decide on coming to the Japan Cup?
“His trainer decided that he would have three starts in his autumn campaign, the Arc, the Breeder’s Cup and the Japan Cup. This schedule was ideal for him.”
What do you plan on doing with him from tomorrow on?
“The trainer and jockey are arriving today, so it will be up to them.”
(comments taken from A. Cooper)
⇒ Foreign Entrees – Japan Cup Dirt
ECCENTRIC (GB, g4, chestnut)
--cantered 5 furlongs, galloped 1 lap
(6F: --, 5F: 71.3, 4F: 56.0, 3F 42.1, 1F: 13.3)
(exercised from 7:55 to 8:20 by K. Reed)
“We kept his exercises light this morning, and his condition is as good as yesterday. He weighed 482 kg today, which means he has gained a little. He prefers a firm track, but being a strong runner who has won by record speed on all-weather tracks, we’re not worried about the going. We will gallop him tomorrow.”
(comments taken from J. Chapple-Hyam)
LAVA MAN (USA, g4, dark bay or brown)
--cantered 5 furlongs, galloped 1 lap
(6F: 87.1, 5F: 71.3, 4F: 56.5, 3F: 42.1, 1F: 14.0)
(exercised from 8:00 to 8:15 by A. Romero)
“We’re very happy that the horse is in such good condition. The dirt here at Tokyo is deep, but he was handling it well. Climbing the hill on the stretch was new to him, but he responded very well. It’s a relief to see that he’s not tired at all. His training from tomorrow on will be much the same as today.”
(comments taken from A. Romero)
<Shiroi Quarantine Facilities>
OUIJA BOARD (GB, f4, bay)
--jogged 1 lap, walked 1/2 lap, cantered 1/2 lap, galloped 1/2 lap (15-15), walked 1/2 lap
(exercised from 6:28 to 6:48, ridden by C. Hinson)
“She has fully recovered from the trip and her condition is unquestionable. ”
“Her training at Shiroi has gone very smoothly and she has lived up to our expectations.”
“She’s in better shape by the day, and should be in perfect condition by Sunday. She’s going to beat Zenno Rob Roy.”
(comments taken from R. Trevor-Jones)
ALKAASED (USA, h5, bay)
--jogged 1/2 lap, lightly cantered 1/2 lap, walked 1/2 lap, galloped 1 lap (1F: 15.5), walked 1/2 lap
(exercised from 6:28 to 6:48, ridden by D. Furukawa)
“From our arrival up to today, everything has gone very well.”
“After winning the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud this spring, his condition and the weather prevented us from racing him as we hoped. But for this race, everything is going as we planned.”
“We have high hopes for him to do well in this race, but will withhold any bold comments.”
(comments taken from I. Willows)
BETTER TALK NOW (USA, g6, bay)
--walked 1/2 lap, cantered 1-1/2 laps (1F: 17.2), jogged 1/2 lap, walked 1/2 lap
(exercised from 6:59 to 7:10 ridden by M. Tenney)
“We aren’t particularly worried about his condition.”
“One can say that “luck” has to be on your side to win a race, but all we have in mind isenabling him to give his best shot.”
(comments taken from A. Rolls)
KING’S DRAMA (IRE, g5, bay)
--jogged 1/2 lap, lightly cantered 1 lap , galloped 1 lap (15-15), walked 1/2 lap
(exercised from 6:56 to 7:07, ridden by C. Hunt)
“He’s eating well, and his condition is better than we hoped for.”
“If the race development turns out to be favorable for this horse, he has a very good chance. In any case, we have to tune him up so that he can do his best.”
(comments taken from C. Hunt)
⇒ Foreign Entrees – Japan Cup Dirt TAP DAY (USA, c4, dark bay or brown) --walked 1/2 lap, jogged 1 lap, galloped 1-1/2 laps (15-15), jogged 1/2 lap, walked 1/2 lap (exercised from 7:00 to 7:21 ridden by J. Sanchez) “We’re satisfied with the training we’ve done with him here and he’s in fine shape.” “He’s back to being his usual noisy self, which means he’s in good condition.” “Since he’s back in form, we think he’ll show good leg if he gets to race the way he’s good at.” (comments taken from J. Sanchez) *The above 5 entrees were transferred by horse truck to Tokyo Racecourse today, leaving the Shiroi Quarantine Facilities at 10:10. All foreign entrees are now at the Tokyo Racecourse. Japan Cup Dirt (GI) : Nov. 26 (sat) Tokyo 11th race2,100m dirt Japan Cup (GI) : Nov. 27 (sun) Tokyo 10th race2,400m turf *Training at Shiroi Quarantine Facility: European horses 6:30~7:00 American horses 7:00~7:30 *Training Course: 1,400m dirt *The last to leave the Shiroi Quarantine Facilities, 5 foreign entrees were transferred safely by horse truck to Tokyo Racecourse today, arriving at 12:18. ⇒ FOREIGN ENTRIES-JAPAN CUP OUIJA BOARD (GB, f4, bay) “We exercised her lightly this morning, and are happy to see that her condition is fine. The jockey will ride her from tomorrow on.” (comments taken from R. Trevor-Jones) ALKAASED (USA, h5, bay) “The horse is in good condition. His training from tomorrow on will be up to the trainer who is scheduled to arrive tonight.” (comments taken from I. Willows) BETTER TALK NOW (USA, g6, bay) “He’s in good shape. We weren’t worried about the transportation here by horse truck since he’s a good traveler. Tomorrow we will gallop him. We might try the turf if possible.”(comments taken from A. Rolls) KING’S DRAMA (IRE, g5, bay) “He’s gaining weight and is in great condition.”(comments taken from C. Hunt) ⇒ Foreign Entrees – Japan Cup Dirt TAP DAY (USA, c4, dark bay or brown) “He’s in great shape. We’ll probably be doing the same gallops like today. The facilities here in Japan are terrific. Tap Day is a very clever horse, so he can easily adjust to the new atmosphere.”(comments taken from J. Sanchez)
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