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2008 News

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JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE
28th running of the Japan Cup

* Marsh Side has been scratched from the 2008 Japan Cup due to sickness.

November 27, 2008 (Thursday)

Questions asked on behalf of the Press:
Mr. Atsushi Kiwada (Radio Nikkei)

** Please note that the quotes are transcribed as accurately as possible , however parts that were inaudible due to recording problems or totally irrelevant to the subject are omitted from the text

PAPAL BULL (GBR, 5h, bay) Owner:   Papal Bull Syndicate (Gary Patchett) Trainer:  Kevin Bradshaw (for Sir Michael Stoute) Jockey:  Ryan Moore

Papal Bull (at Shiroi quarantine center)

Q:	How is his condition after arriving in Japan?
O:	I think it's fair to say that we're very happy with the condition of the horse. He traveled down from the quarantine nicely-he's the same weight now that he was when he arrived, the temperature's been constant, and he's a happy horse.
Q:	How would you rate his current condition out of 100%?
T:	Very happy with him as far as we're concerned - he's 100%. He's traveled over well as Gary said and his weight's good, his temperature's good-couldn't be happier.
Q:	Looking at his work today-he did what we would say a relatively light gallop at around 15-15. How would you evaluate his movement today?
T:	We only cantered this morning-and he'll do a bit of work tomorrow morning-he'll do a bit of a five-furlong breeze tomorrow, and then he'll be ready for the race. And we're quite happy with him this morning but that was just an easy canter.
Q:	How would you compare his condition to how he was before last year's race?
T:	He's more mature this year. Last year, he was only a four-year-old and now he's come back. He's more mature-taking the traveling better, and then if you want to compare him to last year, if you ask Ryan-he rode him last year.
Q:	What motivated you to participate again in the race this year?
T:	He ran very well last year-and was very slow out of the stalls-he finished seventh. So, on that run he's entitled to be here. And it's pretty much been the plan most of the season.
Q:	What is your impression of the Japanese horses?
T:	We only got in last night so we haven't really had the time to study the form. We've only got what we see on the television-we don't see very much at home.
Q:	It is reported that this race maybe his last run?
T:	Gary said eh that's right. After this he's got a job at stud and I expect Gary will tell you where he's going.
Q:	Tell us your enthusiasm towards this race?
T:	Last year he's come from a long way behind-seventh was good last year-(this year) we hope he can finish a bit closer.
Q:	What is the strong point of this horse?
J:	He's a horse with an awful lot of ability. He stays the trip very well, he likes the fast ground and if he gets a good trip in the race, he'll be finishing strongly.
Q:	How would you rate him compared to last year?
J:	I just think he strengthened up and he's grown up mentally-as Kevin said he's traveled a lot better than he did last year and he just a bit more mature, and I'd like to think that he's improved a good few pound on what he did last year.
Q:	What is your impression of the Japan Cup or the racetrack here?
J:	It's a lovely galloping track-it's very fair, the ground will probably be pretty fast which is what he likes. It's always going to be very hard race to win but on his best form he's got every chance.
Q:	Your impression on his movement today?
J:	He looked fine. He looked pretty happy on the track-he just went there to have a look around and take it all in, and I'll ride him myself tomorrow and see how he feels.
Q:	On Japanese horses?
J:	I'd have the most respect for the filly Vodka-I think she's high class and when everything goes her way she's very good. To be honest I haven't had much chance to read much of the form but I believe Deep Sky is quite a good horse and Meisho Samson, you know, it wasn't easy for him to go over to the Arc and now he's back home so he's going to be a lot more dangerous.
Q:	The start I believe maybe the major key in this race?
J:	Last year, one of the stall handlers, they hit him before he went into the stalls and he just got very upset and he's a horse you can't bully and he was laid sideways so he missed the start badly and hopefully we'll never repeat that this year.
Q:	Now that we've heard that this race maybe his last run, what is his plan after this race and how do you feel about participating in this race?
O:	When we bought the horse, he was bought as a stud proposition. We were convinced by the trainer to keep him in training for a further year and that decision has been fully vindicated by his performances to date this year. He'll retire to stud in Ireland in February and this is more than likely his last run and we're looking to bow out with a big run.

Today's training; (turf course)
-jogged 1/2 lap, light canter 1/2 lap, cantered over the stretch, jogged and walked

(Exercised from 7:47 to 8:05, ridden by P. Jones)

PURPLE MOON (IRE, 5g, chestnut) Owner:   Craig Bennett Trainer:  Luca Cumani Jockey:  Jamie Spencer

Purple Moon (at Shiroi quarantine center)

Q:	What is the condition of your horse since his arrival in Japan?
T:	He traveled very well and I saw him this morning for the first time, and he's in very good condition, he looks well and I'm happy with him.
Q:	So would you say that he's 100% in his best form?
T:	I hope he will be by Sunday, yes.
Q:	I don't think you worked him very hard this morning...
T:	No, the plan was to be quite easy with him this morning because it was his first day on the track and we wanted him to just have a look around and just enjoy himself and take it in-and we will do a little more with him tomorrow-but he did what we wanted this morning, and we're happy.
Q:	So are you going to work him harder tomorrow?
T:	I don't think it will be hard. But it will be a little bit more than this morning. The horse, he's fit, he's done all his work back in Newmarket and the plan was always to bring him here fit and then gradually ease our way into the race.
Q:	What is his strong point?
T:	He's very professional in his races. He runs kindly and relaxed throughout his race and then has a good finishing kick.
Q:	What do you think about the other contenders running in this race?
T:	I don't know much about the Japanese horses obviously because I haven't been able to follow them that closely, but I know that they are highly regarded and Japanese horses nowadays are very competitive worldwide. So I'm sure that they put up a very good performance and I think they'll be very tough to beat.
Q:	What did you think about the track?
T:	The track is fantastic. It's a nice wide track with big bends and a long straight and a little bit of undulation-which our horses from England are used to-and I think it's a very good fair track and I hope that the rains stays away because Purple Moon likes fast ground and nine times out of ten, you get fast ground here.
Q:	What is your racing strategy? Is there a particular way you want the race to deploy?
T:	We would prefer it to be at a true pace-because in a truly run race, the best horse will win, so we hope there is going to be a good pace in front, and we hope to be somewhere in the middle, and have racing luck in the straight and be able to have an uninterrupted run when we need it.
Q:	How did Purple Moon move on the track today and what was your impression this morning?
J:	He seemed to move really well. He looks happy and Mr. Cumani is happy, so that's the main thing.
Q:	Your third time here-what is your impression of the past Japan Cup races that you know?
J:	Japan Cup is generally a truly run race, and both times I'd ridden in it-it was run at a very strong pace-and I hope it's the same this week-end 'cause it will suit this horse. He hasn't had a hard season, he's come here a fresh horse-which a lot of the time isn't the case for European challengers, and this is the target and hopefully he can put in a decent performance.
Q:	Have you collected information about the Japanese horses?
J:	I'm relatively blind as far as those horses are concerned although there is a horse that came to France to race-and obviously I've watched Pop Rock that was placed in the Melbourne Cup-so this horse stays. My horse stays very well, he's won over an extra couple of furlongs so the main thing for me-the two main things are strong pace and that the weather remains fine and that he gets the fast ground he needs. Obviously the Japanese horses are getting stronger and stronger every year and it's shown all over the world, so you have to respect everybody.
Q:	How about your racing strategy? Any way you want the race to develop?
J:	Well as I said, he needs strong pace as Mr. Cumani said, if he can get in a comfortable position in the middle of the field-that would be ideal after a strong gallop-and take the race from there. Hopefully get a good clean run in the straight and then it's whatever good enough or not.
Q:	So you definitely want a fine weather and a fast track.
J:	Yes, that's the horse's ideal conditions and he hasn't had that many times in the past-possibly Australia and Goodwood are the only times, and seen that under his ideal conditions he's had top class performances both times so hopefully if he's got his conditions this weekend he can show his true form.
Q:	What is the strength of this horse and your enthusiasm towards this race please?
O:	It's a fantastic opportunity to be competitive in a race as big as the Japan Cup and it's great to be here and compete at this level. So the excitement is to participate in such a great occasion.
Q:	Your impression of the course?
O:	It seems to be a fantastic course. The ground as it seems likely to be quick which would suit us. It seems a very fair track, as Luca said, its slightly undulating which he'll be used to, and there is plenty of space on the track so, with a bit of luck every horse should have a fair chance.
Q:	Mr. Cumani, how would you compare this horse in terms of competitiveness with Alkaased (USA) with whom you won the race in 2005 and is there any strategy that you found effective from your experience in order to win this race? (Hochi Shimbun, Mr. Takayanagi)
T:	It's always very difficult to compare horses in different years. Purple Moon is a similar horse to Alkaased in as much as he does like fast ground and he likes a strong pace and likes to come from behind-apart from that it's difficult to make comparisons. Purple Moon comes into this race, as Jamie said, a fresh horse for this year-he's only had two runs-and so he should be at his very best-and that's good enough.
Q:	What are the possibilities of his running in the Arima Kinen after this race? (Daily Sports, Mr. Wada)
T:	Well we first have to see what happens on Sunday, and then after that we will decide whether we'll go to Hong Kong with him or maybe Hong Kong and then come back for the Arima Kinen-but that might be asking a lot of it-or maybe just stay here and go in the Arima Kinen. I cannot give you an answer until after the race on Sunday.

Today's training; (turf course)
-jogged 1/2 lap, light canter 1 lap

(Exercised from 7:47 to 8:05, ridden by N. Rakotoarisoa)

SIXTIES ICON (GBR, 5h, bay) Exercise Rider:  David Bradley

Sixties Icon (at Shiroi quarantine center)

Q:	Yesterday you arrived in Tokyo and he entered the track this morning. How was the horse's condition?
E:	Sixties Icon is in really good condition. He's boisterous, bright, alert, his well being, we are very happy with. He traveled good, we've had no problems up to now and we're keeping our fingers crossed for Sunday.
Q:	This morning you didn't do any strong work did you?
E:	This morning we were just acquainting him with the track and his new surroundings. He's been at Shiroi and had settled in there nicely, and settled in here nicely. We don't need to do a lot with him, we've got no intensions of doing anything really serious with him. He's fit - he went to the Breeders' Cup, he flew from L.A. to England, he's done what work he needed to do in between and did it well. And the decision was made to come over here and we just really basically just going to strong canter him into the race.
Q:	What kind of training do you plan to do with him from tomorrow and on?
E:	We'll go on the turf course tomorrow obviously and then on the dirt track we'll just do very sensible, easy canters. Probably Saturday he'll canter a mile or something like that. He'll jog some furlongs, canter a mile. And then Sunday it'll just probably be a ridden-walk in the morning or something like that.
Q:	Is that the usual training pattern he uses before races?
E:	When we're abroad obviously you have to adapt. In England you might do things slightly different. But basically, yes, we're going to go very easy into the race with him because as I say, this last month he's had a busy month with the traveling and racing in L.A., so basically we're just happy to get into the race in good order. He seems to be in good order and bright and well in himself.
Q:	Does he show any fatigue after the series of races in his autumn campaign?
E:	Well, Sunday will answer that question for sure. He seemed in real good order in England and you can only go on what you've got and what you see and the signs he gives you. And the signals he was giving in England was that he was up for it again...he was up to go. There's another big run in him for sure.
Q:	What is your impression of the Tokyo race course?
E:	It looks a lovely track, it really does. I mean it's big, it's wide, it's very inviting for a galloping horse like these horses are. It's a first class track obviously, isn't it. The ground is quite fast, it's been used quite a bit on the inside where the actual race will be run obviously. But as far as a track for this horse, it's the perfect track. I think any one would be struggling to fault this track.
Q:	Do you have any comments on the weather and the going?
E:	I think we've been very lucky with the weather really. We've had a drop of rain on the track and it's made it perfect, for making a nice print in it just for him to do swinging canters on them. As far as I'm concerned that's all he needs to do and it's ideal for him. The weather - you just have to take what you get, and we're quite happy with what we've got.
Q:	So would you hope for the same kind of track condition on the day of the race as it is now ?
E:	If the ground is what it is like this morning, I'd be more than happy with it.
Q:	What are his outstanding points?
E:	The strongest point of this horse - well he's basically got everything this horse, he's a classic winner, he gets the trip well, he's got a great attitude, he's got a great will to win, he's got a big heart, he's proved it many times that he's well up to competing at this level and we just hope he'll put a big show up .
Q:	What is your impression of the Japanese contenders?
E:	I haven't got much knowledge about them at all. You read and read but really basically my knowledge of them is not good, but we're well aware that Japanese horses are strong wherever they go now and particularly strong obviously in Tokyo. We've obviously looked back and there's plenty of good horses that have been over here, top class horses like Montjeu, Ouija Board has been over here and been beaten, so we're under no illusions, it will be a strong race. We're not under any false thinking it's going to be easy. We know it's not going to be easy.
Q:	Would you like to comment on the other foreign contenders?
E:	Not really. They're all out to be beaten and we're very happy to be taking part and feel very privileged.
Q:	Sixties Icon has a very good turn of foot. What kind of race would be ideal to demonstrate his kick? (Journalist, Mr. Asano)
E:	A race with a level pace-a strong pace rather than weak. He's a very handy horse and he can be ridden in quite a lot of ways but I'm pretty sure we'll be taken a good lead around - probably try and sit in fifth, sixth like that and go from there. Mr. Noseda and Johnny Murtagh will be formulating a plan as we speak I'm sure, and hopefully all things will go right on the day, hopefully it will all come good.
Q:	What kind of race development would you like to see?
E:	As I said, a strong pace and hopefully he'll sit fifth to sixth and make the best of his way as he enters the straight. That's how I understand how he'll be. You watch him on the videos and you see how he runs. Johnny Murtagh knows him well and he needs a strong pace.

Today's training;
-jogged 1/2 lap, jogged, cantered strongly (on turf)

(Exercised from 7:48 to 8:05, ridden by M. Denaro)

* Marsh Side has been scratched from the 2008 Japan Cup due to sickness. MARSH SIDE (USA, 5h, dark bay or brown) Trainer:  Neil Drysdale Owner:   Patrick Lawley-Wakelin

Marsh Side (at Shiroi quarantine center)

Q:	When and why did you decide to enter him in this race?
O:	After Marsh Side was transferred from Michael Dickinson, we decided that the best place for Marsh Side would be in California, and the next best thing would of course that he would be trained by Neil Drysdale. We had always planned a return to Canada - the horse had always run very well in Canada before winning the Valedictory on the poly-track, and he had also been second in the Northern Dancer Stakes, so we had decided that we would follow a similar route. Also he had in 2007 he did run in the International, leading for most of the race into the stretch and then faded. And we believed that certainly that that was not his race. So Neil decided to bring the horse back for the Northern Dancer race and as it says in the press release he ran deceptively well in that race-he was fourth, a very fast finishing fourth. And we thought that with a little bit of luck, that he probably would have gone a lot closer -if you remember Champs Elysee, I believe won that race. So we absolutely believed that he fully deserved a shot in the Canadian International and obviously that was proved correct. So after that we, as long as he was going to hopefully finish one two three in that race, that the Japan Cup would always be a race on his agenda, it's a race that definitely suits the horse and he suits the race. And he certainly deserves to be here.
Q:	So you do think he has a very big chance of winning the race?
O:	This is a very tricky question. Obviously we're not here just to be tourists. It's a fantastic race to run in and it's a fantastic race to win. And so therefore we are here for that reason. We fully expect the horse to run well, keeping in mind that there is a very strong Japanese contingent here, amazing horses from Japan and it is going to be very tough. But I do think that the course will suit him, the track will suit him and with a little bit or racing luck I'm sure that we will be right there.
Q:	You've seen the horse this morning. How was his condition?
O:	The horse has gone out this morning and I think he definitely showed an affinity for the track, he's alert, he's bright, he ran there really really well, stood in the gate well. He is a classed horse-there's no doubt in my mind about that. I think it was a very good work this morning.
Q:	How did the horse exercise this morning and how do you asses his condition?
T:	When he arrived from California, he ran a temperature in the quarantine station. So today was his first piece of exercise because he had a high temperature for two days. He appears to have recovered from that well, and his blood profile is improving every day. So this morning was his first exercise and I think he handled it very well, he looked well, there's no sign of any coughing, he's bright and he's alert, he's eating, he's put on 25 pounds since he arrived in Japan. So on we go. This morning's gallop, he went to the gate, he stretched his legs down the lane on his own, on his own accord. He wanted to reach out so the rider allowed him a little bit - gave him his head a little bit, and he appeared to be delighted with himself.
Q:	What would be your training plans from tomorrow and on?
T:	Well because he's been a little bit under the weather in the quarantine station, we probably won't do much with him-he might stretch his legs tomorrow a little bit more. Today he went up the stretch in what the English would call "half speed", and what the American's would call "two minute nick". So I probably would think he would do a bit more on his own account coming up the stretch tomorrow.
Q:	If his best is 100%, would you rate him as 70 to 80% at this point?
T:	This percentage thing is a difficult question to answer. Percentage-wise, how would you know? Obviously he's not at his best, but hopefully, by Sunday he will be.
Q:	What is your impression of the Tokyo Racecourse?
T:	I think they're excellent. That's one of the reasons we're here. This course will suit Marsh Side very well because he's a galloping horse. He needs the wide turns and the length of stretch-it's very similar in Canada, at Woodbine, it's a galloping track and this is very similar so it's probably the primary reason to bring him here.
Q:	Is the condition of the track now best for your horse?
T:	Well of course, he loved the course this morning and if it rains, he'll like it even more so we're not concerned about the weather.
Q:	What is the strong point of your horse?
T:	The strong point of the horse is that he is a true mile and a half horse. He can gallop along and still accelerate as we just watched on the television.
Q:	What is your impression of the Japanese horses?
T:	The whole world knows that the Japanese horses are improving by leaps and bounds over the last few years and hence, the Japan Cup is no longer won consecutively by foreign horses. And the fact that the Japanese horses travel to California, they travel to Paris, they travel around the world, Hong Kong, and Dubai and they hold their own if not defeat their enemy so there you go.
Q:	There are three Derby winners in your Japanese rivals. Do you have any information on them?
T:	No, but I'll be collecting them, because obviously we follow Japanese racing much more than we used to do and I'm aware that it's a strong field. I'm not sure that it's as strong as last year but it's very close.
Q:	Do you have an ideal race development?
T:	Generally, there's good pace in this race, I'm not concerned really about the tactics - he's adaptable. He can be forwardly placed, he can come from off the pace, now I know the horse much better, obviously you can see from his record we started off on the wrong foot, and we were trying him on synthetic tracks and we were on the wrong distance etc. but I think he's rounded to form very well in the last two to three months and I'm very pleased with his condition. Other than the little hiccup we had with the fever when he arrived, everything else is systemed to go.
Q:	What do you think about the other foreign contenders?
T:	That's not my position to comment. I'll comment about my own horse but I'm not going to start talking about other people's horses.
Q:	How long after his arrival did he have a high fever? (Sports Nippon, Mr. Hamana)
T:	Two hours after he arrived his temperature was elevated, so it remained elevated for forty-eight hours.
Q:	Has he recovered now?
T:	No more fever. He just had the fever for forty eight hours and fortunately-touch wood-he's not coughed. He never stopped eating. His appetite was always good and he was always bright.
Q:	The pace in Canada seems much slower than in Japan. Will the fast pace here suit your horse? (Nippon Broadcasting, Mr. Shimizu)
T:	The reason he ran slow in Canada was because the ground was very deep that day, it was soft-actually both times he ran in Canada it was on very soft ground. That's the reflection on the slow time. As long as there's a little bit of give in the ground, which there is presently, we walked on the course this morning and it had a nice give in the ground, I think he'll handle that well. If it's soft he'll handle it very well. I mean if the ground turns soft, it's more the fact that a lot of the other horses cannot handle where as he can.
Q:	You said just now that he put back on twenty-five pounds. Does that take him back to his ideal racing weight? (Foreign Press, name not given)
T:	Well we don't weigh the horses in California at present. Because we move from racetrack to racetrack and there's no-well there is one weighing machine. We still do it the old fashion way where we just look at them, so I think he looks very well and he does appear to the eye that he has put on weight.
Q:	Did your training plans in Japan change due to his fever? (free-lance Journalist, Mr. Tsuchia)
T:	Yes, it completely changed. So what we did with him is that we left him alone until everything had leveled off, his blood had leveled off, his temperature had leveled off. So that's why he didn't resume training until this morning-he went for a couple of trots in the quarantine station, but today was his first canter, gallop, whichever way you want to describe it.

Today's training;
-walked 1/4 lap, barrier test twice, cantered 3/4 lap (on turf)

(Exercised from 8:30 to 8:43, ridden by P. Oldham)

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