Horse Racing
Season
Japan Cup - Form Comments

22/11/2024 10:21

G1 – 2400m – Turf

1

Goliath

Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2392m) hero was unable to run in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) as he was a gelding, this race became his target.

2

Blow The Horn

A 7-time winner from 22 starts. In 2024, he finished in the top three in all but one. He pulled away with powerful late kick to score his first G1 title in the Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) in June.

3

Do Deuce

Topped Equinox in the Japanese Derby in 2022, but missed his form until he captured the G1 Arima Kinen (2500m) in December 2023. Showed little in the first two starts this season but showed explosive turn of speed to win the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) last time.

4

Justin Palace

The G1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) winner in 2023 started off this term with 4th-place in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) but finished disappointing 10th in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) in June and showed the upward curve when 4th in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) last time.

5

Struve

Won three races in a row in the G2 Meguro Kinen (2500m) but showed little in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) last time. Has been targeting to the race and trainer Noriyuki Hori is confident of his form.

6

Danon Beluga

Has not tasted any success for more than two years. Finished 3rd in his seasonal bow, the G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) in March. Failed to respond and had two-digit finish in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) last time.

7

Shin Emperor

Purchased at Arqana August Yearling Sale 2022 for €2,100,000, the 3-year-old full-brother to the 2020 G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Sottsass finished a close third in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes in September but did not succeed in taking the first Japanese-based Arc victory last time.

8

Auguste Rodin

The Aidan O’Brien-trained 4-year-old son of Deep Impact will retire after the race. Has won at the highest level in each of his seasons in training. Added G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes to his winning list and finished runner-up in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes last time.

9

Cervinia

The 3-year-old filly has four wins in six starts, including two Japanese Fillies’ Classics. She won the G1 Shuka Sho (2000m) by 1.8L on her return from a break of around 5 months last time.

10

Durezza

Won his fifth straight win in the G1 Kikuka Sho (3000m) in 2023. Showed his brave performance and finished 5th behind City of Troy in the G1 International Stakes (2051m) at York in August last time.

11

Karate

The 8-year-old has yet to win since the G3 Niigata Daishoten (2000m) in May 2023. Has struggled this term.

12

Sol Oriens

Finished 1-2-3 in the Japanese Triple Crown in 2023. Seemed to be back his form when 2nd in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) in June and came off a 7th-place in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) last time.

13

Fantastic Moon

Last year’s Deutsches Derby winner filled the runner-up spot in the G1 Grosser Preis Bayerisches Zuchtrennen (2000m) for the second consecutive year before the victory in the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden (2400m).

14

Stars On Earth

The consistent 5-year-old mare has finished in the top three in 12 of 13 starts, except for 8th-place in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) in March last time.