The Grade 1 Arima Kinen was run today over 2500m at Nakayama racecourse outside Tokyo today, and 4yo Sunday Silence colt Matsurida Gogh, who had previously failed at Grade 1 level at other tracks in Japan, relished being back at his favorite track to win the prestigious Arima Kinen in a major upset.
The 3 major filly (and mare) race winning 3yo filly Daiwa Scarlet jumped straight to the lead when the field left the barriers, but soon outsider Chosan took over to lead the field through the early and middle stages of the race. Daiwa Scarlet settled well in 2nd, while Matsurida Gogh was positioned perfectly in 3rd by jockey Masayoshi Ebina. Of the favored runners, Pop Rock was midfield outside Daiwa Major, while Derby winning 3yo filly Vodka jumped better than expected and was running outside New Zealand bred Roc de Cambes who was in turn ahead of even money favorite Meisho Samson who was near the tail of the field early.
As the field approached the final turn it was clear that Daiwa Scarlet and Matsurida Gogh were still travelling well while other behind were being pushed along to make up ground. Ebina kept Matsurida Gogh on the fence in the final straight and soon took the lead from Daiwa Scarlet who kept fighting on well under vigorous riding by top Japanese jockey Katsumi Ando. Daiwa Major and Roc de Cambes made up ground in the final stages, but it was too late and the Nakayama specialist Matsurida Gogh who had been given the perfect ride by Ebina held on well to claim first prize. Matsurida Gogh has five wins from eight runnings on the right-handed, Nakayama racecourse.
Daiwa Scarlet held off her half brother Daiwa Major (who was having his last run before going to stud next year) for 2nd, while Roc de Cambes grabbed 4th from Pop Rock in 5th. Favorite Meisho Samson was disappointing in finished 8th.
Matsurida Gogh is a 4yo by Sunday Silence, out of the Bel Bolide mare Paper Rain. He was bred by Okada Stud, is owned by Fumie Takahashi and is trained by Sakae Kunieda.
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