In the 8th running of the richest jumps race in the world today, the Nakayama Grand Jump (J-G1), Australian champion hurdler Karasi defended his title, holding off a strong late challenge by the local Japanese favorite T M Dragon. However connections were forced to wait for several nervous minutes after the trainer of Mejiro Basinger, Mr. Yokichi Okubo requested an inquiry into possible interference caused to his runner by Karasi at the 8th hurdle. Eventually though, the stewards deemed that Karasi had not significantly interfered with Mejiro Basinger, and announced correct weight.
The race, over 4250m, was run at a quick pace with New Zealand challenger Fontera taking a forward position early on together with Balt Fountain, before former top Japanese hurdler Mejiro Ormond took over the lead in the middle stages. Balt Fountain was pulled out of the race shortly after appearing to break down, and Fontera eventually fell at the last hurdle after dropping back through the field with around 1000m to go, but all other 13 horses finished the race safely.
The two favorites were Karasi and T M Dragon, with most Japanese punters expecting these two horses to fight the race out. They were not disappointed, as both horses made their runs in the last 800m or so, moving around the leaders to hit the lead coming into the final stretch. Jockey Brett Scott on Karasi went for home first on the 11yo gelding, and coming to the last hurdle in the straight he held a slender lead. In the final furlong, T M Dragon really knuckled down and began closing the gap, but under Scott's vigorous riding, the brave Australian champion kept finding and eventually held on to beat the gallant 4yo Japanese rival by a neck.
There was 7 lengths back to the winner of the lead-up race, the Pegasus Jump, Telegenic, with another 5 lengths back to Merci A Time in 4th. The other foreign participant in the race, Merlos finished 9th.
Karasi is trained by champion Australasian jumps mentor Mr. Eric Musgrove, and is owned by Mr. Pearse Morgan. He earned a first prize of over 80 million yen for the victory today.
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