A Christmas cracker from Japan.
In terms of prestige and importance this race is on par with the Grand National in England or the Melbourne Cup in Australia for the national public. Its a race that captures the imagination beyond the boundaries of the racing circle. The majority of the field is decided by public vote with the remaider decided by prize money won. This year 8 of the top 10 vote getters make the line up.
No doubt the top vote getter will once again be the overwhelming choice of the public to win. It will be the last start for Buena Vista and she comes here off a Japan Cup win that will have her cheery ripe for this. That was her first win in 2011 and in a total of 22 career starts she has won 9 and been unplaced just twice.
She will have to be at the top of her game here as the opposition brings the best middle distance horses that Japan can throw up. The race is open to internatioanls but unfortunately none make it although the Arc winner Danedream had been earmaked for it.
Last year s winner Victoire Pisa is back to defend. He went on from his nose victory over Buena Vista to win the Dubai World Cup. Subsequently injured he made a comeback in the Japan Cup. He’ll strip fitter for this.
The intrigue is provided by the three year old Orfevre winner of the Japanese triple crown. A winner over over the distances he is sure to be progressive. Have some sympathy for Win Variation who got the view of his back end on the last three occasions.
Then there’s the Tenno Sho (Autumn) winner Tosen Jordan. He will once again be partnered by Craig Williams, possibly the worlds top jockey at the moment. Group 1 and domination seem to inter link with the Aussie now.
Add in Earnestly a 2L winner from Buena Vista in the Takarazuka Kinen in June. He was drawn wide in the Tenno Sho (Autumm) run in record pace and couldn’t cope with the outside shuffle. Prior to that he was an easy odds on winner at Group 2 level over 1m 3f here at Nakayama.
Rose Kingdom hasn’t won since the 2010 Japan Cup. It’s hard to call it a win though as the slightest interference saw the disqualification of Buena Vista. Regret surely the stewards have.
It would be good to see a bold showing from Hiruno D’Amour, Winner of the Tenno Sho (Spring) he was subsequently prepared for an Arc campaign where the unusual Paris heat possibly went against him. He bypassed the Japan Cup in order to remain fresh for this.
Rulership is another to consider with Ioritz Mendizabal in the saddle. He hasn’t run since the Takarazuka Kinen as a hoof injury has sidelined attempts at the Tenno Sho and the Japan Cup.
This is a race all about the public. They decide the field. On this occasion it would be nice if they also decided the winner. It might be spoilt by Victiore Pisa but it really would be a Christmas cracker if Buena Vista can go out on the top of her game.