By Alan Carasso
Three top-class European invaders made the trip across to contest Sunday's G1 Japan Cup, trying to put a dent in the locals, who have more or less owned the 2400-metre feature since the turn of the century. But each was done in–to varying degrees–by a race that was run at a walking pace for the opening mile, and favoured Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) ensured that the trophy would remain in Japan for another year. The 5-year-old took off from the back of the field approaching the home straight and defied that lack of tempo to defeat 2022 Arqana August yearling topper Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Classic winner Durezza (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), who shared second placing on the wire. Resolute Bloodstock and Baron Philip von Ullmann's G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes hero Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) did not enjoy the smoothest passage from the inside barrier and finished best of the European raiders in sixth.
Fourth to Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in last year's renewal, Do Deuce was the $2.30 (13-10) favourite exiting a barnstorming success in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn), where he sprinted :32.5 for his final 600 metres to score cosily. And, despite being seriously pace-disadvantaged, he repeated the dose on Sunday.
Shin Emperor, returning home off a forgettable 12th-place finish through the unsuitably soft ground in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Oct. 6, took the initiative beneath Ryusei Sakai and made the early running in advance of the Shadai pair Sol Oriens (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) and 2023 third-placegetter Stars on Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}). Back behind midfield early on, Goliath was sent through an opening at the fence by Christophe Soumillon to race on the back of Shin Emperor as they reached the back straight, but the complexion of the race changed when William Buick sent last year's G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) hero Durezza into the lead 1400 metres out, trying to make best use of his superior stamina. At this stage, Yutaka Take had both fists full of the favourite anchored at the rear and out of harm's way while racing in the company of Germany's Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}).
The speed was well and truly out of the race–the first half was covered in a very moderate 1:14.5–and Durezza continued to lead into the third corner, still going strongly in front. Take began to gradually feel for Do Deuce, making steady progress, but forced to chart a wide course into the final 600 metres in the slipstream of the swan-songing Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Asked for his best nearing the straight, Do Deuce switched off heels, came to win the race with about 300 metres to travel and kept on determinedly for the victory, completing the final 600m this time around in a race-best :32.7. Durezza also boxed on well and was joined on the wire by Shin Emperor, who displayed the same battling qualities that saw him finish a bang-up third–one spot behind Auguste Rodin–in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes in September.
It was a fifth elite-level score for Do Deuce, who secured champion 2-year-old colt honours in the Asahi Hai Futurity (1600m) in 2021 before handing Equinox a rare defeat in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) over the Japan Cup course and distance the following spring. In the absence of the Horse of the Year, Do Deuce got the better of Stars on Earth in the fan-voted Arima Kinen (2500m) last December.
In his two runs prior to the Tenno Sho, Do Deuce was hampered by a stricken rival and could finish only fifth in the G1 Dubai Turf Mar. 30 and he failed to handle sticky ground when sixth in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen June 23.
It was a fifth Japan Cup for Take and first since Kitasan Black in 2016, while trainer Yasuo Tomomichi was celebrating a second win in the race, having taken the 2017 renewal with Cheval Grand (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}).
“The positioning during the race went as planned,” said Take. “It was expected, but the pace was extremely slow and I had to struggle keeping him in hand. In the first half a mile, if the pace was to quicken more, then I was planning to stay back but it didn't, so I let him gradually make headway along the outside, not so much as to quicken and close the gap, but to release the reins a little bit.
“Making ground from the last corner, his speed was so great that he was already in front in an instant and after that a normal horse would be worn out and pinned down, but this horse is exceptional, and while I wasn't sure that I'd won until the end, I kept believing he would stay and he did.”
Turnover for the Japan Cup alone was US$157.4 million while a total of US$225.3 million was invested across the 12-race program.
Do Deuce likely makes the final start of his career in defence of his Arima Kinen title at Nakayama on Dec. 22.
Euros Go Home Empty-Handed
Goliath, a 14-1 chance on the JRA tote, remained a forward factor into the final stages, but couldn't quite finish off his race while not beaten far.
“We acknowledge there are no excuses. While the pace was slower than anticipated, we expected this outcome,” Resolute Racing's John Stewart said on X. “Achieving this level of competition in any sport is a remarkable feat, and we look forward to returning to compete with the strongest horses from around the globe. Congratulations to Northern Farm on their success, as well as to the owners of DO DEUCE for their well-deserved victory. We express our gratitude to @JRA_WorldRacing for their generous hospitality.”
Auguste Rodin traveled well throughout and was centerfield entering the straight, but was one-paced in the final 200m and checked in eighth. A crowd of 15,000 remained on hand two hours after the race to take in an unprecedented retirement ceremony for the six-times Group 1-winning son of Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Fantastic Moon also peeled wide for the drive, but made no impact in 11th while beaten about six lengths.
We take immense pride in GOLIATH and our entire team. @GraffardRacing and @CSoumillon have done an exceptional job preparing GOLIATH and positioning him effectively.
We acknowledge there are no excuses. While the pace was slower than anticipated, we expected this outcome…. pic.twitter.com/JRYcGQdtMz
— Jstewartrr (@jstewartrr) November 24, 2024
Pedigree Notes
Do Deuce is one of a dozen Group 1 winners for Heart's Cry, who was lost to the Japanese breeding industry in March 2023. Two other of the stallion's sons–Suave Richard (Jpn) and the aforementioned Cheval Grand (Jpn)–count the Japan Cup among their top-level conquests.
A Grade III winner for Satish Sanan's Padua Stable in September 2012, Dust and Diamonds was runner-up in that year's GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint–one of several placegetters from that particular race to go on to be important producers in Japan–and was acquired days after for $900,000 by Borges Torrealba Holdings at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale. For her new owner, she added the GIII Sugar Swirl Stakes prior to her retirement.
The mare was subsequently sold to Katsumi Yoshida for $1 million in foal to the late Pioneerof the Nile at the 2016 Keeneland November Sale and her stock increased when her foal of 2016, Much Better (Pioneerof the Nile), was placed twice at Grade III level as a 3-year-old in 2019.
Dust and Diamonds is also the dam of the 2-year-old colt Ender Dragon (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) who was purchased by Do Deuce's owner for a sales-topping ¥94.6 million (about US$639,989) as a foal at the 2022 Northern Farm Mixed Sale. The 16-year-old mare produced a filly by Silver State (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in 2023 and her colt by Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn) fetched ¥286 million (about $1,892,223) from owner Ozora Kikaku at this year's Northern Farm Mixed Sale on Oct. 22.
6-time Gr.1 winner AUGUSTE RODIN pictured with connections during his retirement ceremony. Thank you to @JRA_WorldRacing & the Japanese racing fans for making the journey so memorable 🇯🇵
The brilliant son of Deep Impact will now retire to @coolmorestud for 2025 🤩 pic.twitter.com/wohnGAT3kJ
— Coolmore (@coolmorestud) November 24, 2024
Sunday, Tokyo, Japan
JAPAN CUP-G1, ¥959,260,000 (£4,944,985/€5,948,371/US$6,197,779), Tokyo, 11-24, 3yo/up, 2400mT, 2:25.50, gd/fm.
1–DO DEUCE (JPN), 128, h, 5, by Heart's Cry (Jpn)
1st Dam: Dust and Diamonds (MGSW & GISP-US, $496,260), by Vindication
2nd Dam: Majestically, by Gone West
3rd Dam: Darling Dame, by Lyphard
O-Kieffers Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm; T-Yasuo Tomomichi; J-Yutaka Take; ¥502,982,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Colt-Jpn, 16-8-1-1, $12,552,854. *1/2 to Much Better (Pioneerof the Nile), MGSP-US, $350,454. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
(DH)-2–Shin Emperor (Fr), 123, c, 3, Siyouni (Fr)–Starlet's Sister (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). (€2,100,000 Ylg '22 ARQAUG). O-Susumu Fujita; B-Ecurie Des Monceaux; T-Yoshito Yahagi; J-Ryusei Sakai; ¥165,639,000.
(DH)-2–Durezza (Jpn), 128, c, 4, Duramente (Jpn)–More Than Sacred (Aus), by More Than Ready. O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm; T-Tomohito Ozeki; J-William Buick, ¥165,639,000.
Margins: NK, (DH), 2HF. Odds: 1.30, 25.80, 15.20.
Also Ran: Cervinia (Jpn), Justin Palace (Jpn), Goliath (Ger), Stars on Earth (Jpn), Auguste Rodin (ire), Danon Beluga (Jpn), Struve (Jpn), Fantastic Moon (Ger), Blow the Horn (Jpn), Karate (Jpn), Sol Oriens (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart and VIDEO.
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