The Japanese Flag Waves Again at Meydan

Mark Smith - Sunday March 26

It was another hugely successful day on the international stage for Japan, with three winners on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan, including the $A18m feature.

Ushba Tesoro (image Dubai World Cup)

The Noboru Takagi-trained Ushba Tesoro has transformed from a turf journeyman to a superstar on dirt.

The winner of three of 22 starts over four seasons on the grass, the 6yo son of Orfevre is six from seven since switching to dirt,

Advertisement

One of eight Japanese runners in the race, Ushba Tesoro was among the tailenders early under Yuga Kawada before unleashing a whirlwind finish to defeat Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) by two and three-quarter lengths with Emblem Road (Quality Road) a short-head back in third.

Yoshito Yahagi’s Saudi Cup winner Panthalassa (JPN) finished a disappointing tenth, and defending World Cup winner Country Grammar (USA) clocked in seventh.

Arguably the performance of the meet went to Japan’s Horse Of The Year, Equinox, in the Dubai Sheema Classic. Making his 2003 debut after closing out last year with Group 1 wins in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) and the Arima Kinen, Equinox embarrassed a top-class field by three and a half lengths, and it could have easily been double that.

Christophe Lemaire eased the Tetsuya Kimura-trained 5yo to a near walk. The son of Kitasan Black still shaved a second off the existing course record in defeating Westover (GB) (Frankel) with Zagrey (Fr) (Zarak) a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.

The Australian-bred Hong Kong representative Senor Toba (Toronado) finished last of ten.

It was Japan 1-2-3-4 in the UAE Derby with Derma Sotogake (Mind Your Biscuits) leading home Dura Erede (Duramente), Continuar (Drefong), and Perriere (Henny Hughes).

Trainer Hidetaka Otonashi said all roads lead to Churchill Downs for the first Saturday of May.

The two Australian-bred runners, The Astrologist (Zoustar) and Slight Success (Magnus) covered themselves in glory in the Al Quoz Sprint.

The Astrogist was beaten a head into second place by the Shadwell colourbearer Danyah (Invincible Spirit).

Ridden by Damian Lane for Leon and Troy Corstens, the Bennett Racing colourbearer was in the firing line the whole way.

The John Size-trained Slight Success was three-quarters of a length behind third-placed Al Suhail (Dubawi).

The New Zealand-bred Duke Wai was fifth.

The Dubai Turf was won for a third time by John and Thady Gosden’s extraordinary Lord North. With Frankie Dettori in the saddle, the 7yo Dubawi gelding halted the Japanese rampage by defeating Danon Beluga (Heart’s Cry) by three-quarters of a length.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Monday July 21
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
OTI Racing Looking for G1 Success at Glorious Goodwood Next Week
Harry Eustace will send both of his Royal Ascot winners, Docklands and Time For Sandals, to next week’s Qatar Goodwood Festival, presented by Visit Qatar.
High Hopes for Unbeaten Justify Filly
The Emirates Park colours were carried to victory at Canterbury on Wednesday by exciting three year-old Justify (USA) filly Amreekiyah, who produced a dazzling finishing burst to keep her unbeaten record intact.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday July 22
Here is the full list of 22 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Second Winner For Hanseatic’s Tiz Worthy
Having the honour of becoming the first winner for the Rosemont Stud-based Hanseatic when recording victory back in December, Tiz Worthy’s win on the Sandown Hillside course on Wednesday saw the filly become the first dual winner for her sire.
One to Watch Wins Again
When Grunt three year-old Mr Blunt won on debut at Ballarat on the synthetic track by nine lengths earlier this month he was an easy choice as a One to Watch and on Tuesday he repeated the performance to go two for two.
Champion 2YO Velocious Sale Details
Group One winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) is about to be offered for auction in the Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale and the promo videos are out along with inspection details.
$1.15million 2YO Filly the 200th Winner for I Am Invincible
Yarraman Park’s champion sire I Am Invincible ticked over his 200th Australian winner for the season at Canterbury on Wednesday when his blue-blood filly Kerber opened her account at just her second start.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday July 23
Here is the full list of 40 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Melbourne Possible for Tough Kiwi Stayer
Tough stayer Wolfgang showed enough during a brief Melbourne campaign last spring to warrant a return visit.