The Shanghai Race Club

It has been a difficult year for Japan and Japanese racing, but for around two and half minutes on Sunday all that will be forgotten as the leading thoroughbreds in Japan take on some select performers from Europe and the United States. It promises to be an exciting and memorable renewal of the Japan Cup. Here are the runners with saddlecloth numbers, followed by a verdict on where this prestigious trophy is heading.

1. Jaguar Mail – owned by Kazumi Yoshida, Jaguar Mail is a Grade 1 winner, who finished 4th in last year’s Japan Cup. That run showed that he possessed the ability to be competitive at this level, but recent runs have not be so good and this 7 year old looks up against it taking on younger rivals.

2. Buena Vista – owned by Sunday Racing Co. Ltd, Buena Vista was last year’s Japanese Horse Of The Year and many feel she was robbed of victory in the Japan Cup (she was demoted to second by the Stewards for causing interference). She possesses loads of ability, is very consistent and comes into the race in good form – must have every chance of avenging last year’s defeat.

3. Rose Kingdom – owned by Sunday Racing Co. Ltd – was awarded last year’s Japan Cup in the Stewards Room. Although he has won a Grade 2 race at Kyoto this season, his overall level of form hasn’t been as strong and it seems unlikely that Rose Kingdom will become the first horse in history to retain the Japan Cup

4. Oken Bruce Lee – owned by Akira Fukui, Oken Bruce Lee’s finest hour came when narrowly defeated by Vodka in this race back in 2009. Form since hasn’t been as strong, although he ran a good trial for this when 2nd in Tokyo Grade 2 last time. Place looks his best hope.

5. Trailblazer – owned by Koji Maeda, Trailblazer won a handicap last time at Tokyo, although he was receiving weight from some horses. In form, but will need to improve again to make an impact at this level.

6. To The Glory – owned by U. Carrot Farm, To The Glory was in terrific form at the turn of the year (was just behind Victoire PIsa and Buena Vista in the Arima Kinen) but recent efforts haven’t been so strong.  Needs to return to his best to have a chance of making the frame.

7. Pelusa – owned by Hidetoshi Yamamoto, Pelusa has produced some excellent efforts at the top level – 5th in this race last year and 2nd and 3rd respectively in the last two runnings on the Tenno Sho (Autumn). Comes here in good form and has a chance of making the frame.

8. Victoire Pisa – owned by Yoshimi Ichikawa, Victoire Pisa landed one of the most significant victories for Japanese Racing when winning this year’s Dubai World Cup under a masterful ride from Mirco Demuro. Has been rested since and has had some problems with his hind legs. Can’t be ruled out, but others have stronger claims.

9. Sarah Lynx – owned by Mme Robert Ehrnrooth, Sarah Lynx is a French trained horse who comes here on the back of a stunning win in the Canadian International. That was by far her best ever effort and if she could repeat the performance in Tokyo, she would be a serious contender

10. King Top Gun – owned by Toyoji Ikeda, King Top Gun is an 8 year old who looks out of his depth here. Big outsider.

11. Mission Approved – owned by Terikchand Chatterpaul, Mission Approved is a Grade 1 winner in the United States, but his form looks inferior to the leading Japanese and European contenders and it is unlikely he will feature in the finish.

12. Win Variation – owned by Win Co. Ltd, Win Variation finished 2nd in this year’s Japanese Derby. Also ran with credit when 2nd in the Kikuka Sho at Kyoto, but will have to raise his game here against the leading older horses.

13. Danedream – owned by Gestut Burg Eberstein and Teruya Yoshida, Danedream is of course the record breaking winner of the 2011 Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe. There is no doubt that Danedream has the strongest form in this line up and her chance here will depend on how well she has dealt with the long journey from Europe. Huge chance if she has arrived in form.

14. Shareta – owner by the Aga Khan, Shareta ran a career best when 3rd behind Danedream in the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe. Although she is a talented filly, the feeling remains that she would need a few others to underperform to stand a chance of winning.

15. Eishin Flash – owned by Toyomitsu Hirai, Eishin Flash finished 8th in last year’s Japan Cup and this season’s efforts, while creditable, suggest a similar showing on the cards on Sunday.

16. Tosen Jordan – owned by Takaya Shimakawa, Tosen Jordan had looked a decent, if just short of top class, performer until his stunning win in the Tenno Sho (Autumn). He had horses like Buena Vista and Pelusa behind that day and knocked an amazing 1.1 seconds off the course record. Possible that victory was a one-off, but a repeat performance would make him a very serious contender for this race.

VERDICT: A terrific line up for this prestigious prize. None of them will be able to live with Danedream if she repeats her Arc form, but great European champions like Montjeu have come to Japan and failed in the past and this will be no easy task for the German filly. If the long trip takes its toll, then maybe this could finally be the day for the wonderful BUENA VISTA (left) to land the prize she so richly deserves. The is no question that she was desperately unlucky to lose the race in the Stewards room last season and her recent effort in the Tenno Sho suggested that she was coming back to her peak just at the right time. Sarah Lynx and Pelusa are two others who are likely to make their presence felt.

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