Japanese racing fans who stayed up late to watch the 2008 renewal of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp Racecourse would have been disappointed in seeing their representative, Meisho Samson finishing 10th in what is widely regarded as the world's feature turf event.
After settling back in the field after an ordinary start, Japanese jockey Yutaka Take followed the favorite (and eventual winner of the race) 3yo filly Zarkava in the middle stages of the race, but when the pressure came on, Meisho Samson did not find much and came across the line in 10th place. Zarkava, however, went on to score a resounding victory and in doing so kept her unbeaten record in tact, with 7 wins from 7 starts. Youmzain was 2 lengths back in 2nd place, with Its's Gino and Soldier of Fortune deadheating for 3rd. Duke of Marmalade, who was trying to make it 6 Group 1 victories in succession, finished 7th. The time for the race was 2:28.80.
Meisho Samson did not start well, and trainer Shigetada Takahashi revealed after the race that this was not helped by the fact that he had been told that Zarkava would be loaded into the gates last, when in fact it was Meisho Samson who was loaded last into the gates. Mr. Takahashi said "As Meisho Samson was loaded last, the gates opened immediately after he entered, and the horse was not ready to start. Then soon after the start, he was squeezed from both sides, so he could not settle in a favourable position. The horse was moving well and was in good condition. It could have been interesting if he had been able to make use of the good gate."
Jockey Take commented "It was a shame he started badly. He was squeezed from both sides just after the start, and we got pushed back through the field. He travelled well some times, but he wanted a pull a little as well, and he was cluttered up in the big field. I tried to keep following Zarkava, but she accelerated away in the straight. Meisho Samson was in good condition, and he handled the ground well. I thought he had a good chance."
Once again, the Japanese were not able to win the Arc. But Take's last comment was "I am keen to try again on a Japanese horse." Their quest to win one of the most coveted titles in the industry will continue.
The horse that accompanied Meisho Samson on his trip to France was stablemate Foundry Condor, and that horse competed in the Group 2 Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein held the previous day. After racing 3rd from the start to the false straight, in the 8-horse field, Foundry Condor was not able to find the necessary finish when the pressure went on, and finished 6th, 6 3/4 lengths from the winner - 5yo French gelding Spirito del Vento, ridden by Olivier Peslier. The time for the race was 1:39.10.
Trainer Takahashi commented "We knew it was a tough field and that Foundry Condor was going to struggle. But he did well. It would have been nice if he could have finished in the top 5, but he got tired at the end. Overall we are happy with his run."
* France Galop website: http://www.france-galop.asso.fr/index.php?id=1&L=1
The Prix de l'Arc De Triomphe website: http://www.prixarcdetriomphe.com/en/index.html
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