The Japan Cup (Group 1)

Eastern promise meet western appeal.

Seventeen go to post including five Europeans in chase of one of the biggest pots in world racing with the winner pocketing £2.1m. It’s packed with intrigue especially around the rematch of Solemia and Orfevre, the one two in the Arc.

You would have to say the Japanese horse looked the best on the day cruising to the lead in real easy style only to throw it away by hanging over the rail. He’s a Japanese triple crown winner and also a Arima Kinen winner to boot, the first occasion he met his elders. He is Japans best horse and now holds the nation’s heart much like Buena Vista did before bowing out by winning this last year. However the Arc was not the first time he displayed quirkiness having tried to run out 4f from home in a Group 2 in March. He was very nearly pulled up before remarkably coming back to run second adding to the sense his enormous talent cannot be relied upon.

Solemia was a surprise winner in the Arc. She got much the run of the race loving the testing ground and did well to take advantage of the Japanese colt’s quirkiness. She had beaten Shareta on G/S in the Prix Corrida in May and was in need of the run when third in the Prix Vermille (overturned by Shareta). The intrigue comes from a filly on the improve at this time of year but can she handle this firm ground?

Jakkalberry, Red Cadeaux and Mount Athos extend their round the world air miles having all competed in the Melbourne Cup. The best on the day was Marco Botti’s Jakkalberry who was given an enterprising ride by Colm O’Donoghue to come third. In a race run at a crawl most jockeys were caught out and in Mount Athos’s case this was especially true. Ryan Moore did come with big run down the outside but unfortunately had left far too much to do. Strange that considering it was a race over two miles. It’s unlikely he’ll leave it as late this time but over a mile and half and out of handicap company it also unlikely Mount Athos will have the gears to cope with the opposition here. The same can be said for Red Cadeaux who hasn’t looked the horse he was last year when going down a nose to Dunaden in the Melbourne Cup and a length and a half in the Hong Kong Vase.

The other European runner is Roger Varian’s Sir Putra. He has only won six times in twenty four runs and never at top level. His latest victory was in the York Stakes (G2) in July over 10f. He went back for the Juddmonte in August where he didn’t feature acting mulishly on the day. In his favor is the ground as he’ll a lover of the firm. Against him is the trip, he hasn’t been extended to 12f for two years since finishing second in the Bosphorus Cup in Turkey.

Of the other hometeam Patrice “Starcraft” Lemaire gets the leg up on Eishin Flash, the Tenno Sho winner while Tosen Jordan (second in this last year to Beuna Vista) will have Christophe Soumillon aboard. Gentildonna catches the eye, a winner of five from six including a 1000 Guineas and Oaks. She’s beaten the same filly Verxina on the four occasions.

Will Orferve come as he did in the Arc but this time see it out? Probably but at 2/1 he’s pretty short. Maybe a pari mutual bet on Sir Putra could pay dividends. With ground to his liking and being a proven traveller if the change of scenery can overcome his moodiness then he may give a big run with a price to match.

Recommendation : Sir Putra E/W (Pari Mutual)