Japan Cup Dirt (G1) - comments from Japanese runners' connections
Admire Subaru
Admire Subaru (6yo, horse)
Hidemasa Nakao (trainer)
"He worked fast last week so we just had him finish hard today. He's been in good shape for a while now, and it's all going well. If you look at his recent results, I think he'll be all right on any course. It's been a while since he last raced at Hanshin, but his stride welcomes a spacious track like Hanshin."
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Bonneville Record
Bonneville Record (7yo, horse)
Masahiro Horii (trainer)
"His time was good last week, and it was good today. He couldn't be in better shape right now. The last race, I think he hadn't completely recovered from the start before. But the good thing is, (Fumio) Matoba will ride him for the big race; that will definitely make a difference. You can tell the horse enjoys it when (Matoba) is aboard. He just knows how to get the most out of the horse. It's the only way I can explain it. He does hold the Japan record at 1,800 meters (1 minute, 47.8 seconds) so I'm trying to be upbeat."
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Daisho Jet
Daisho Jet (6yo, horse)
Hiroyuki Oneda (trainer)
"He didn't have his head up too high and he didn't train the way he does when he's overweight. As a matter of fact, his build is what it is when he's in good condition. He's giving off good vibes, and he can adapt to any course or distance."
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Espoir City
Espoir City (4yo, colt)
Tetsuzo Sato
"I've worked her five times since the last race, but I don't think we could be better prepared. Since switching to dirt, he's been strong and has really started to fill out his frame. He's not a one-pace horse any more, which is a huge difference compared to the spring. He was fourth in the February Stakes, but that race gave us a good idea of what he can do and what he can't do. I know we've got Vermilion and some good 3-year-olds in the field, but my horse doesn't take a backseat. We may not be getting the same attention, but I think our chance is as good as any."
Akio Adachi (trainer)
"At the rate he's working, he'll be fine. He'll be going out there in top form. His performance when he won the (Mile Championship) Nambu Hai was so impressive, we decided to head straight to the Japan Cup Dirt. He's shaping up to be a real good dirt runner, packing on a lot of muscle, and he's been training like never before. It's too bad Summer Bird had to pull out, because he's really learned how to run a race. We can't wait for it to begin."
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Golden Ticket
Golden Ticket (3yo, colt)
Christophe Lemaire
"I got a good feel for him in the workout and I thought he moved well. He seems to be in good condition. I won the Japan Cup Dirt with Kane Hekili last year and I hope I can do it again this year."
Rikiya Imai (exercise rider)
"We wanted him to finish fast today, and he did just that. We're challengers here against the older horses, some of them Grade 1 winners. We'll just have to see how he matches up against them."
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La Verita
La Verita (3yo, filly)
Shinya Tashiro (exercise rider)
"Her movement was outstanding; she's just in great shape at the moment. If she even had a normal start to the last race (fifth, the Tokyo Chunichi Sports Hai Musashino Stakes), she would have been right there at the finish. The distance isn't an issue and her potential ranks among the best of them. She can run at any pace so I think she can easily adjust to 1,800 meters."
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Makoto Sparviero
Makoto Sparviero (5yo, horse)
Katsumi Ando
"His form has been consistent, and he didn't let up in the work today. His action used to be a bit clumsy, but he's always had potential. We don't necessarily have to be in front, but we don't want a slow pace. He's not your classic stretch runner, but he won't tire. He'll need to get into a good rhythm during the trip. You can count on him to have his moment, but it remains to be seen how he stacks up at the Grade 1 level."
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Marubutsu Lead
Marubutsu Lead (6yo, horse)
Hiroyuki Oneda (trainer)
"The thick sand used at the local tracks clearly didn't suit him. He runs well at Hanshin, but we have to be realistic given the quality of the opposition here."
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Maisho Tokon : horse number 5
Meisho Tokon (7yo, horse)
Hiroshi Takeda (trainer)
"He had some time off on the farm and he's come back to us a much more relaxed horse. We're going up against some tough horses, but he's definitely on the up from the last race. Now all we need is a good pace for him. He had fast work last week, so he breezed today for half a mile. We have no worries here, and he does pick it up when it gets cold."
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Silk Mobius
Silk Mobius (3yo, colt)
Masazo Ryoke (trainer)
"We just breezed him because he's had a few races already this month. The work went well, and physically, he's ready. We don't think the Musashino Stakes says everything about him, but at the same time, we didn't think he'd win the race before (the Leopard Stakes) by five lengths either. The favorites will all be toward the front which should make it an easier race for him because he likes a fast pace. We're excited about the race."
Takefumi Hattori (exercise rider)
"He's on a tough schedule, but he's showing no signs of wear and tear. Obviously, the opposition will be on a different level this time but he doesn't give in easily. If he can be in a position to fight it out near the front, he's more than capable of finishing high."
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Success Brocken
Success Brocken (4yo, colt)
Hiroyuki Uchida
"He felt good and when was very smooth when I asked him to switch gears. It's been a while since I last rode him, but it seems like he's learned a few things about racing. He responded well in the work today, and all the signs are good. He's become easier to ride, and I'll ride him knowing that the frontrunners tend to run well in the 1,800 meters at Hanshin. If he can run to the best of his ability, he's good enough to win - as he showed in the spring."
Hideaki Fujiwara (trainer)
"He's matured, mentally and physically. This has been our biggest target since the February Stakes."
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Suni
Suni (3yo, colt)
Yutaka Fukushima (exercise rider)
"He wasn't too tired after the last race, and he's been training for this race all long. We worked him fast today, but not overly fast. Everything's gone according to plan so far. I think the horse himself knows a race is coming up because he's been much sharper as of late. 1,800 meters is within range, and we have faith in his ability - even against a field as strong as this one. He's getting stronger and stronger every time he runs, and we have our hopes up."
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Vermilion
Vermilion (7yo, horse)
Yutaka Take
"He didn't have much space, but he still found a way to accelerate. The margin wasn't big last year or this year, but he's in better shape this year for sure. He's consistently good; regardless of the conditions, he always runs his best race. He obviously won't change drastically at this age, but he looks a young horse. He's still full of energy. I got hurt last year and missed out on the big race, and I feel bad about that for the connections. I didn't enjoy watching the race at all. There aren't too many Grade 1 races on the program, so I want to make the most of this opportunity. I like to think I know this horse better than anyone, and I hope I can give the fans something to cheer about."
Sei Ishizaka (trainer)
"He's the same old Vermilion. He was completely out of form in the February Stakes, so much so that he was in considerable pain after the race. This fall, he's looked as good as he ever has. There was a horse who couldn't run to his right last year, and he took us out of the race. The preparation has been perfect this time. All we ask for is a clean race."
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Wonder Acute
Wonder Acute (3yo, colt)
Ryuji Wada
"The more they race, the really good ones learn to take it easy in workouts. He's relaxed, and his condition is very good. I think he's capable of taking it up a few more notches and there's no question he can compete here."
Masao Sato (trainer)
"The work wasn't as fast as last week, but it wasn't bad at all considering the track conditions. He's fully recovered from the last race, and he continues to be in good form. The best thing is that he's going into the race 100 percent healthy."
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Wonder Speed
Wonder Speed (7yo, horse)
Tomohiko Hatsuki (trainer)
"He showed the power we know him to have when he worked fast, and the prep work has gone just as we imagined. He'll definitely like the course, and we just hope he can run at a rhythm he likes. We're really, really looking forward to the race."
Hidenori Yamashita (exercise rider)
"His overall time was fast, and he finished the work strong. His condition is on the rise and I don't think you can even compare his form from the last race. Mentally, I think he's right where we want him to be."
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