By Heather Anderson
In 2023, Namur (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) parlayed a victory in the G2 Fuji Stakes en route to a neck defeat of Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) in the G1 Mile Championship. This term, the top Japanese pair face a tougher ask, as Europe's Champion Miler elect Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) attempts to become the first international winner of the race since it was opened to worldwide participation in 1998.
Trained by Tomokazu Takano, Namur will have pilot Cristian Demuro at the controls and they will break from stall four. Third to Hong Kong wunderkind Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile last December, the bay went one better in the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan in March. Unplaced with some trouble in the G1 Victoria Mile, Namur was only a half-length behind reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in the G1 Yasuda Kinen over this trip in Tokyo on June 2. Sunday is her first run back.
Takano said, “She is coming off a layoff, but she's had regular work and I figured she didn't need to do any really fast work. She actually has more muscle mass now and I hope that will show itself in a powerful performance. She's much more experienced and I can feel that. I'm sure the late Kota Fujioka [who rode in the Mile Championship last year] will be cheering us on and, as the defending champion, I don't want to lose.
Multiple group winner Soul Rush has frequently clashed with Namur, and has a chance to turn the tables on Sunday. Fourth in the aforementioned Hong Kong Mile, he defeated 2022 Mile Championship hero Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) when winning his second G2 Yomiuri Milers Cup in three years this spring, before taking third behind Romantic Warrior and Namur in the Yasuda Kinen in June. He warmed up for this with a second to Jun Blossom (Jpn) (World Ace {Jpn}) in the G2 Fuji Stakes over this trip at Tokyo on Oct. 19.
Assistant trainer Yuki Iwasaki said, “With an eye to this race, we had him at a little less than peak condition for the Fuji Stakes. Everything has gone well. He's gotten the same preparation as he always has and last year he finished a very frustrating second. I really want him to get a Group 1 title.”
Nurlan Bizakov's Charyn got his 4-year-old season going in March with a listed win, and he has finished first or second in all seven 2024 appearances. The G1 Queen Anne Stakes and G1 Prix Jacques le Marois went his way in succession in June and August, respectively. Second when given too much to do in the G1 Prix du Moulin, the grey won the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in what will surely be contrastingly soft going on QIPCO Champions Day at Ascot on Oct. 19. The Mile Championship is his swansong, before beginning stallion duties for Bizakov's Sumbe at Haras de Montfort et Preaux for €35,000 next year.
Trainer Roger Varian said, “He's given us some brilliant days and hopefully there is one more to come. He has come out of Ascot so well and we were always keen to come. It is a challenge and it's a sporting challenge. It's admirable of his owner Nurlan Bizakov to support that challenge. Nurlan is here and is very excited.
“It's a very different style and tempo of racing and while Charyn is the highest-rated horse in the race, we're not underestimating the challenge he faces.”
“He's in great form, he has an unbelievable temperament and a very relaxed mentality,” continued Varian of his charge, who will be ridden by Ryan Moore. “He's took the long journey and quarantine in his stride. Of course, you never quite know until the gates open, but for all the world he looks in great nick and hopefully that proves to be the case. It's nice to have a good one competing on Japanese soil and we keep our fingers crossed for Sunday.”
The ultra-consistent Brede Weg (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) is another to watch in the Mile Championship. Flying the Sunday Racing colours, the 4-year-old filly, a Group 1 winner in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup over 2200 metres last year, has made only one start this season when winning the G2 Fuchu Himba Stakes on Oct. 14 and will be trying a mile for the first time.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
