Drawn 15 of 15 for Sunday's 1800-metre event, Godolphin's Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid) not only had that to overcome, but also lingering questions as to his ability to stay a trip this far. After all, his trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka needed some convincing by the Godolphin braintrust to try him in the G1 February S., a 1600-metre affair, which he duly won with something in the locker.

A trip to Dubai was ultimately decided upon, the G1 Golden Shaheen (1200m) versus the G2 Godolphin Mile. Lemon Pop was ultimately no factor, but even as many as eight months ago, Godolphin Japan President Harry Sweeney mentioned the Champions Cup as a potential target in a Q&A with this reporter ahead of World Cup night. That brand of outside-the-box thinking paid off handsomely Sunday afternoon at Chukyo Racecourse, as Lemon Pop became the fourth horse to win both JRA Group 1 dirt races in the same calendar year.

Favoured–albeit midly so at $3.80 (14-5)–Lemon Pop broke a bit to his right, but very alertly, and managed to show enough speed to come across the entire field and lead out from this year's G2 UAE Derby runner-up Dura Erede (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) with 2021 winner T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) enjoying the gun run from third.

Lemon Pop had done some work to get there, having clocked :23.5 for the opening 400 metres, but he came back to Ryusei Sakai and got the opening 800m in :48.8, with Dura Erede keeping him honest. Traveling nicely within himself with his jockey sitting against him–similar to his win in the February–Lemon Pop was clear into the straight, pinched what appeared to be a winning break and was home comfortably first as Wilson Tesoro (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) jumped out of the ground for second at rough odds. Dura Erede settled for a creditable third. Multiple international group winner Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) was disappointing in 11th with a bit of a wide trip, while the previously unbeaten Seraphic Call (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) finished 10th.

“Christmas has come early for us in Japan! And indeed if Santa Claus doesn't turn up in three weeks' time, we won't be too upset,” Sweeney said on the Godolphin website. “Lemon Pop was awesome today–there can be no denying that. No horse drawn in the outside three stalls has even made the frame in the last decade, so Lemon Pop needed to overcome the obstacle of the widest draw of all. Also, doing it from the front is probably not the easiest way to win a Group 1, but he had little alternative because of the draw and it was another excellent ride for Ryusei Sakai. In truth, he looked all over the winner when turning in–he was still traveling very well while everyone else was hard at work.”

In the aforementioned Q&A, Sweeney spoke of the honour of bringing a Godolphin-owned Japanese-based runner to Dubai to race before His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. A similar plan was in the works in 2021, when Lemon Pop was an intended runner in the UAE Derby, having won the 2020 Cattleya Sho on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. But the injury bug bit, dashing those plans. His victory Sunday opens a few more doors as the calendar turns to 2024.

“Though five years old, he is relatively lightly raced and over four seasons has only run a total of 14 times,” Sweeney said. “As he is in great form, we are hoping to keep him in training for another year and will be considering the G1 Saudi Cup before hopefully going back to Dubai in March.”

A horse that has passed every test that's been set for him, Lemon Drop would have to be considered a major player in Riyadh and/or at Meydan.

A big thrill…the wonderful Lemon Pop, who we bred in the USA, wins another Group 1.
He is arguably the best horse on dirt in Japan and the global stage awaits in Saudi Arabia and Dubai.
Congrats to his owner @godolphin and to @PadraigCampion who raised him for us in Kentucky. https://t.co/aZFRogRwki

— Twin Hills Stud (@TwinHillsStud) December 3, 2023

Pedigree Notes:

On behalf of former Darley executive Olly Tait and his wife, Blandford Bloodstock went to 165,000gns for Unreachable from the Juddmonte draft at the 2012 Tattersalls December Mares Sale. Unreachable is a daughter of Harpia, a full-sister to the highly influential Danehill as well as Eagle Eyed and Shibboleth, etc., and is a half-sister to the stakes-placed First Word (Chester House) and Redesdale (Speightstown). This is also the family of Dundonnell (First Defence), a Group 3 winner in England, a listed winner in Hong Kong and Group 3-placed in Dubai.

Unreachable was offered in foal to Good Magic at the 2020 Keeneland January Sale and was led out unsold on a bid of $55,000, but Chad Schumer acquired the mare privately for $50,000 on behalf of Jay and Christine Hayden's Saintsbury Farms. Schumer also purchased Redesdale for $18,000 at the 2016 January Sale and he now stands at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in the state of New York. The colt Unreachable was carrying at the time of her acquisition–an Ontario-bred 3-year-old now named Equivoque–would go on to fetch $325,000 from China Horse Club/Gandharvi at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale and CHC bought out the partnership for $240,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale. Equivoque, an impressive debut winner at Keeneland this past April and an allowance second at Churchill on Derby Day May 6, has recently returned to training at Todd Pletcher's South Florida base at Palm Beach Downs after spending some time at WinStar Farm .

Unreachable is also the dam of the 2-year-old colt Magic Rush (Good Magic) and a yearling colt by Maclean's Music that sold for $310,000 to Powerstown Stud at this year's Keeneland September sale. Unreachable, now 14 years of age, did not produce a foal this year and was bred back to Curlin.

Sunday, Chukyo, Japan
CHAMPIONS CUP-G1, ¥232,740,000, Chukyo, 12-3, 3yo/up, 1800m, 1:50.60, ft.
1–LEMON POP, 128, h, 5, by Lemon Drop Kid
1st Dam: Unreachable, by Giant's Causeway
2nd Dam: Harpia, by Danzig
3rd Dam: Razyana, by His Majesty
($70,000 Wlg '18 KEENOV). O-Godolphin; B-Mr & Mrs Oliver S Tait (KY); T-Hiroyasu Tanaka; J-Ryusei Sakai; ¥123,318,000. Lifetime Record: 14-10-3-0, ¥481,756,000. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Wilson Tesoro (Jpn), 128, c, 4, Kitasan Black (Jpn)–Chesutoke Rose, by Uncle Mo. O-Kenji Ryotokuji Holdings; B-Ryoken Farm; ¥48,948,000.
3–Dura Erede (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Duramente (Jpn)–Marchesa (Jpn), by Orfevre (Jpn). (¥100,000,000 Ylg '21 JRHAJUL). O-Three H Racing; B-Northern Farm; ¥30,474,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, NK, NK. Odds: 2.80, 91.00, 30.20.
Also Ran: T O Keynes (Jpn), Meisho Hario (Jpn), Hagino Alegrias (Jpn), Make a Leap (Jpn), Notturno (Jpn), Ater Astrea (Jpn), Seraphic Call (Jpn), Crown Pride (Jpn), Keiai Shelby (Jpn), Gloria Mundi (Jpn), Icon Tailor (Jpn), Geoglyph (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart and VIDEO.

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A $70,000 Keeneland November weanling purchase, the chestnut won the G3 Negishi S. over 1400 metres at Toyko in January and silenced those who questioned his ability to stay an extra furlong when running out a comfortable winner of the G1 February S. the following month. Sent to Dubai for the G1 Golden Shaheen over a 1200-metre journey that was too sharp, he was only 10th, but rebounded with a front-running romp in the Listed Mile Championship Nambu Hai Oct. 9. He tries a two-turn route for the first time and Ryusei Sakai will have to judge it right from the 15 hole.

“While there is a worry about the 1800 metres this time, and how balanced he might be in the run, he's been successful so far, so we can only think of him making a big challenge here,” said trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka. “It'll be interesting to see what kind of race he can run. We'll rely on the jockey to get the best out of him.”

重戦車のような力強さが伝わる一枚を。
レモンポップです。水曜朝のワンシーン。#レモンポップ#チャンピオンズＣ pic.twitter.com/0s78euWIN1

— 日刊ゲンダイ　競馬 (@gendai_keiba) December 1, 2023

Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) was an unlucky loser of this year 12 months ago, but has put together a very formidable record this season. Fifth to Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the G1 Dubai World Cup in March at Meydan–site of his 2022 G2 UAE Derby score–the dark bay was just beaten by Meisho Hario (Jpn) (Pyro) in the valuable Listed Teio Sho June 28 and overwhelmed compatriot Gloria Mundi (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) by 10 lengths in the G3 Korea Cup at Seoul Sept. 10.

“There are some strong horses in the race again this year, but with the condition he's in, it should put him right up there with them,” commented trainer Koichi Shintani. “He hasn't been losing by much in his previous races, and the way he won last time in Korea certainly gives us confidence here.”

T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister), the 2021 Champions Cup winner and fourth last year, has acquitted himself well without winning this term. Fourth in the World Cup, he was a head behind Crown Pride in the Teio Sho and third to the progressive King's Sword (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) and Notturno (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the Listed JBC Classic Nov. 3.

Three-year-old Seraphic Call (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) is the X-factor in the Champions Cup, as he is perfect from his five starts to date, all this season. After winning his first four in the lower grades, he rattled home from the latter half of the field to stamp his authority on Kyoto's G3 Miyako S. Nov. 5, pulling away to best Make a Leap (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) by three emphatic lengths.

A pair of females are in this year's line-up, including JBC Ladies' Classic heroine Icon Tailor (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), and Ater Astraea (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}), beaten 4 1/2 lengths into third in the same event.`

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The 5-year-old earned a berth in the 2022 G1 Saudi Cup with his victory here last year, but he was disappointing in eighth behind Emblem Road (Quality Road) in Riyadh back in February. He regrouped and validated odds-on favouritism in this track's G3 Heian S. in May and was fourth in the Listed Teio Sho June 29 before bouncing back to defeat this year's G2 UAE Derby hero Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) in the valuable Listed JBC Classic over the metric mile and a quarter at Morioka Nov. 3.

“He ran a strong race last year, so I'd like things to be the same this time too,” said jockey Kohei Matsuyama. “His experience overseas has helped him mature more. He took a bit of time to recover from his last race, but just recently in training he's done things in his usual way and has responded well.”

Thirteenth in the GI Kentucky Derby following his Meydan success, Crown Pride was given plenty of time to recover from his travels and resumed with a narrow loss in the Listed Nippon TV Hai at Funabashi Sept. 28. He made the running in the JBC Classic and held well, but was no match for the classy T O Keynes late and will try to even the score while backing up to 1800 metres Sunday.

Vela Azul (Jpn) (Eishin Flash {Jpn}) made a successful switch from dirt to turf to win last weekend's G1 Japan Cup and Jun Light Bolt (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) looks an entirely different proposition since moving from the grass to the dirt. A four-time winner and stakes-placed from 21 turf starts, the bay was runner-up in listed company in his main-track bow in July and has since won the Listed BSN Sho in July and the G3 Sirius S. over course and distance Oct. 1, defeating the 3-year-old Hapi (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) and Auvergne (Jpn) (Smart Falcon {Jpn}).

WATCH: #13 T O Keynes reels in #4 Crown Pride in the JBC Classic

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Having raced only on dirt since his debut in October of his 2-year-old season, the son of Sinister Minister marked a win and two thirds during his debut year and landed three more wins out of seven starts the following year, which included his first graded challenge in NAR's year-end Tokyo Daishoten (G1, dirt, 2,000m, or 1 1/4 miles) where he finished sixth. T O Keynes kicked off this season with three consecutive wins, which included the Antares Stakes (G3, dirt, 1,800m, or 1 1/8 miles) in April and the Teio Sho (dirt, 2,000m) in June, and came off a fourth in the JBC Classic (dirt, 2,100m) on Nov. 3.

This win marked trainer Daisuke Takayanagi's first JRA-G1 and third JRA graded title and jockey Kohei Matsuyama's fifth JRA-G1 win following his victory in the Shuka Sho with Daring Tact last year.

T O Keynes, overcoming his weak start, broke smoothly from stall six and traveled two wide around sixth from Sodashi who set a slow pace. Though meeting traffic at the top of the stretch, the four-year-old chestnut shifted to the outside toward a narrow space outside Inti and, once finding an open space, broke loose from the pack 300 meters out and produced a remarkable turn of speed that timed the fastest last three furlongs to pull away for an overwhelming six-length victory.

“Though the JBC Classic result was disappointing due to the slow start, he broke smoothly today, thanks to the gate practice he went through at the stable,” commented jockey Kohei Matsuyama. “I was able to ride him in good rhythm and he responded remarkably well turning the fourth corner, so everything was perfect. I think he's a very strong horse and I'm glad I was able to bring out his strong performance.”

Defending champion Chuwa Wizard traveled wide toward the rear of the front pack, around 10-11th from the front, and rounded the last two corners the widest of the field. The King Kamehameha brown ran persistently in the stretch, passing his rivals one by one, and, while no match for the winner, managed to overtake Another Truth 50 meters out for a runner-up effort.

Fourteenth pick Another Truth settled around fifth outside the race favorite, closed ground turning the last two corners wide and was at the top of the field running side by side with the eventual winner 300 meters out. Though unable to follow T O Keynes's fast closing speed and overtaken by the runner-up 50 meters out, the seven-year-old chestnut dueled strongly with Inti before the wire to notch third place.

Other Horses:
4th: (4) Inti—tracked leader in 2nd, took lead at early stretch, soon overtaken by winner, weakened in last 100m
5th: (3) Sunrise Nova—positioned around 13th, showed 3rd fastest late kick but belatedly
6th: (9) Auvergne—ran around 8th, dropped position turning last corners, accelerated in last 200m
7th: (15) Meisho Hario—made 3-wide trip around 11th, driven after 3rd corner, lacked needed kick
8th: (8) Suave Aramis—settled along rails near rear, passed tired rivals after meeting traffic 200m out
9th: (5) Air Spinel—saved ground around 8th, showed brief effort, outrun in last 100m
10th: (2) Casino Fountain—hugged rails inside winner around 5th, failed to respond at stretch
11th: (16) Cafe Pharoah—raced 3-wide around 11th, made headway to 6th, showed little at stretch
12th: (1) Sodashi—set pace, maintained lead up to 400m pole, dropped back
13th: (10) K T Brave—trailed in rear, gradually advanced, never fired at stretch
14th: (12) Clincher—sat 3-wide around 7th, found little room after entering stretch
15th: (7) Sunrise Hope—chased leaders around 3rd, checked at early stretch, faded
16th: (14) Danon Pharaoh—traveled in 13th early, fell back to last in backstretch

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Named the champion of her generation when capping a perfect freshman campaign in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies last December, Sodashi resumed with a victory in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) over the metric mile Apr. 11, but did not see out the 12 furlongs of the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) May 23, finishing eighth to Uberleben (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}). Given a break, Sodashi defeated history-maker Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the Aug. 23 G2 Sapporo Kinen (2000mT), but weakened to 10th after racing prominently as the odds-on favourite in the G1 Shuka Sho (2000mT) Oct. 17.

In addition to her sire's dirt exploits, her equally popular dam Buchiko (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) was a four-time winner on the main track and is a half-sister to Yukichan (Jpn) (Kurofune), a three-time stakes winner on the dirt.

“On her pedigree, it looks like she'll be able to perform on dirt, and in her training uphill she's been running well and posting good times,” said trainer Naosuke Sugai of the rail-drawn Sodashi. “I think she's well prepared for her first run on dirt over 1800 metres. I hope she can be well forward and not use up too much, too soon.”

SODASHI just drew Gate 1 for the G1 1800m Champions Cup on Sunday, her first run on Dirt https://t.co/UM4jbg0AuO

— Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) December 2, 2021

Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) rallied from midfield to scoop this valuable prize last year before venturing abroad to be ninth in the Feb. 20 Saudi Cup and runner-up in the G1 Dubai World Cup the following month. Sixth to T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) in the Listed Teio Sho at Ohi in June, the 6-year-old prepped for this with a sound third–with T O Keynes fourth–in the Listed JBC Classic at Kanazawa Nov. 3.

American Pharoah is represented by a pair of runners, each drawn awkwardly. Danon Pharaoh (Jpn) has gate 14 and made the Listed Diolite Kinen in March his one success from four runs this term. He exits a seventh after racing handy to the pace in the JBC Classic. Drawn widest of the 16 is Cafe Pharoah, a low-odds sixth behind Chuwa Wizard last December after winning this track's G3 Sirius S., and who took out this year's G1 February S. at Tokyo. But has generally struggled over the NAR tracks and was fifth to Casino Fountain (Jpn) (Casino Drive) in the Listed Kashiwa Kinen at Funabashi in May, and is best forgiven for a ninth-place effort when trying the grass for the first time in the G3 Hakodate Kinen in July. The 4-year-old makes his first start since.

The relatively lightly raced Sunrise Hope (Jpn) (Majestic Warrior) has risen through the grades this term and is understandably well in the market off his last-out success in the Sirius S. Oct. 2.

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It's an international race and makes up the final leg of the Japan Autumn International series of races. There have been 19 nominations for a maximum 16 runner field this year, and all eyes will be on the superstar filly, Sodashi, as she tries to become a Grade 1 winner on both turf and dirt. There was one horse nominated from overseas (American Theorem), but the American 4-year-old will not be among the runners.

The 22nd Grade 1 Champions Cup will be Race 11 on the Sunday card at Chukyo, with a post time locally of 15:30 (1:30 am ET). The final line-up and the barrier draw will be available later in the week.

Here's a look at some of the top dirt horses expected to take on the race:

Sodashi: The 3-year-old filly by Kurofune is already something of a legend, being such a stunning looking white horse, and also proving she's a bit special on the racecourse too. This will be her first start on dirt, however, and she does have to overcome her last result, when she finished tenth in the Grade 1 Shuka Sho in October, but trainer Naosuke Sugai thinks she has what it takes here.

“On her breeding, dirt races should be fine, and with the weight of 54kg (119lbs) she'll carry here against the older horses, she must have a good chance. Her hindquarters have rounded out more, and it looks as if she'll be suited to racing on dirt,” said the trainer.

It'll be Sodashi's first time to run at Chukyo, and just one of her six wins has come racing to the left.

Chuwa Wizard: The defending champion of the race has had four races since last year's victory, including two overseas. In his latest race, he finished third in the JBC Classic at Kanazawa over 2,100 meters in November, and it leads him nicely into this race again, where he defends his crown.

Trainer Ryuji Okubo stated: “He was coming back from injury last time, but having taken good care with him, he was able to put in a strong race.

Jockey Keita Tosaki also noted that racing from an inside gate, the dirt on the inside was quite deep and this had some effect on the horse's performance.

“This next race he'll be back at the track where he won last year,” Tosaki said.

The jockey certainly knows the horse well, having ridden him in his last five starts, including last year's Champions Cup.

Cafe Pharoah: The 4-year-old colt by American Pharoah has an impressive record in dirt races, having won five out of his eight starts on the surface. His last race was the Grade 3 Hakodate Kinen in July, where he finished ninth, in what was his first race on turf. Back on dirt this time, he should be poised for a big run.

Trainer Noriyuki Hori said: “We passed on the Sapporo Kinen after his run in the Hakodate Kinen, and gave him a break at the farm. He came back to the stable on Oct. 9, and he's been working well since. His weight's around 519kg (1,144 lbs). He's eating well and is relaxed, showing that he's in good overall condition.”

Cafe Pharoah finished sixth in last year's Champions Cup, when starting second favorite.

T O Keynes: It's a 50 percent win strike rate for the 4-year-old colt. He was having his first run in a while in the JBC Classic last time since winning the Teio Sho at Oi back in June. He finished fourth in that last race, and trainer Daisuke Takayanagi believes he's better than that result suggests.

“It was his first race for a while last time, and he wasn't very good at the gate. That and a muddling pace didn't make for a good race for him, although he still ran quite well. He seems more relaxed now and he'll be back at Chukyo where he's shown he can win,” said the trainer recently.

The horse by Sinister Minister looks set to be ridden by jockey Kohei Matsuyama.

Casino Fountain: The Funabashi based NAR runner has only ever run in NAR races, but with 23 races in his career, he has won 12 times and racked up prize money of over JPY200 million on the NAR circuit.

Trainer Takayuki Yamashita commented: “He was quite worked up in the preliminaries last time before the JBC Classic, and it seemed to cost him the race. Also racing right-handed, he didn't respond too well and couldn't keep things up until the finish. He's come out of the race well though and isn't tired at all.”

Jockey Mirco Demuro has been booked to ride the 5-year-old by Casino Drive, in a bold bid to hit the big time here.

Inti: Now a 7-year-old, Inti is always an interesting horse to watch, and has finished third in the Champions Cup for the past two years. Once again trainer Kenji Nonaka and jockey Yutaka Take team up for another effort to pull off a win in the race. The horse is coming off a fourth place finish in the Mile Championship Nambu Hai over 1,600 meters at Morioka in October, making it the same rotation as last year going into this race.

“It was one of his smoothest ever runs last time, and while not perfect in the finish, he used his legs well. He's had a short break at the farm, with this race as his next target,” said trainer Nonaka.

Sunrise Hope: The 4-year-old by Majestic Warrior is an interesting runner here, having finished first or second in four of his last five starts, which include a win in his most recent race, the Grade 3 Sirius Stakes over 1,900 meters at Chukyo in October. Trainer Tomohiko Hatsuki is pleased with the horse's progress.

“Two starts ago he wasn't suited by the tight Kokura track, but back at where he's had success last time, he ran a smooth race, got a good forward position and managed to go on and win. After that I've had this race in mind for him,” said the trainer recently.

Jockey Hideaki Miyuki, who caused a big upset in the recent Queen Elizabeth II Cup, will once again ride Sunrise Hope.

Meisho Hario: The famous Meisho colors will be carried by the 4-year-old colt by Pyro, and he has now managed to finish in the first two in his last four races, including a narrow win in his latest race, the Grade 3 Miyako Stakes over 1,800 meters at Hanshin in November.

Recent comments from assistant training staff at the stable were: “He was challenged late in his last race by the horse on the outside that eventually finished second, but he found a bit extra, so it was a good performance to get the win. He's come out of the race very well.”

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Having registered two G1 wins on turf, including the Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas) in April, Japan's 'idol horse' will switch surface to contest the G1 Champions Cup at Chukyo on Dec. 5.

Trainer Naosuke Sugai is taking the route knowing she is bred from a family of dirt winners. Her sire Kurofune won the Japan Cup Dirt in 2001, and her mother Buchiko also scored all four wins in the dirt.

Sugai referred to her pedigree in announcing he would “try it once” and “keep an eye on it” with the race set be run over her ideal distance of 1,800m [9f], adding there would be more options for her if the switch proves successful.

Sodashi, also referred to as a 'unicorn', has become one of Japan's most popular horses, not just because of her rare color but on the track where she has established a record of six wins from eight starts.

She became the first officially white horse to win a G1 during an unbeaten two-year-old campaign and, in addition to winning the Oka Sho, defeated Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Loves Only You in the G2 Sapporo Kinen in September.

She suffered her two defeats in the Japan Oaks and Shuka Sho last time out when she banged her mouth on the starting gate and subsequently had a tooth removed.

This story was reprinted with permission by Horse Racing Planet. Find the original piece and more content here.

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Chuwa Wizard had started his 2020 term in flying form in the Grade 1 Kawasaki Kinen, with the son of King Kamehameha clinching a six-length win in what had looked to be a good preparation for the Dubai World Cup at Meydan last March.

However, the cancellation of the meeting from the Covid-19 pandemic saw a 20-strong Japanese contingent, including Chuwa Wizard, flying back home instead.

So Chuwa Wizard reappeared in June, with Christophe Lemaire partnering him to finish third behind Chrysoberyl, last year's Saudi Cup contender, in the 2000m (1 1/4-mile) Teio Sho at NAR-Oi.

In the following JBC Classic, at the same track in November, Lemaire had his mount sitting handily in the field on a rain-affected track but he finished third behind his biggest rival, Chrysoberyl, once again.

But in December, in the Champions Cup at Chukyo, he finally gained not only his first Grade 1 at the top-tier JRA level in Japanese racing, but the edge over Chrysoberyl as he came two and a half lengths clear in an ideal prep for his Saudi Cup challenge.

“He's a very talented horse,” said trainer Ryuji Okubo. “From the tactics we had in the JBC Classic, I decided to change the strategy again in the race. I wanted to make the most of what he had, so I told the jockey (Keita Tosaki) to settle him further back, targeting Chrysoberyl from behind.”

Bred by the Japanese leading breeding operation Northern Farm, Chuwa Wizard has barely put a foot wrong since winning a maiden at Kyoto in February 2018. Since his debut, he has been unplaced only once in his 18 career starts.

Tosaki has partnered Chuwa Wizard in his exercise since he arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday and is happy with what he has seen.

“He has matured a lot and showed lots of progress every time he races,” the jockey said. “I think he is in really good form and has been the same as how he is at home, feeling good.”

After helping his mount to his most significant victory to date in Japan, Tosaki is keen to make the most of their partnership in what will be a new experience.

“Having riding experiences overseas is nothing but very special for me,” he said. “My last trip to overseas was the Shergar Cup at Ascot (in 2017), and this is my first trip to Saudi Arabia.

“I have had a really good time and it is a great experience to ride here. Even under the difficult circumstances, I am very honored and grateful to have been invited.”

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There are 18 nominations for a maximum 16-runner field this time around. The race is for 3-year-olds and up and is run over 1,800 meters (approximately nine furlongs) on the dirt track at Chukyo.

The now 4-year-old colt Chrysoberyl not only won last year, but shaved 1.6 seconds off the previous race record time, which had been equaled by three horses in consecutive years, namely Sound True (2016), Gold Dream (2017), and Le Vent Se Leve (2018). Chrysoberyl will be back for another go at the race this year, as well as an attempt to beat his own time of 1:48.50. This year's winner's check is JPY100 million (just under US$1 million).

Here's a look at some of the top dirt horses expected to take on the race:

Chrysoberyl – Last year's winner, the colt by Gold Allure will take some pegging back this time as well. The only loss to his name came when he raced in Saudi Arabia in February this year. Otherwise he has a perfect record of eight wins in all his other eight races, where he has started favorite six times, and has produced some impressive wins, including his latest race, the JBC Classic at Oi in November over 2,000 meters.

Assistant trainer Kenichi Shono said: “It was a strong win last time in the JBC Classic, and his responses were really very good. He had some time at the farm after that and came back to the stable on the 14th, and since returning he's looked in good order.”

The horse's regular jockey, Yuga Kawada, looks set to take the ride again.

Cafe Pharoah – The American bred 3-year-old colt by American Pharoah has loomed large on the dirt scene recently, with just one loss from his five-race career to date. He was a short-priced favorite last time when he won the Grade 3 Sirius Stakes over 1,900 meters at Chukyo in October.

Trainer Noriyuki Hori said: “His prize money total has turned out to be enough to get him into this race without a run in the Musashino Stakes, so given this situation, he's been at the stable since his last race. We're able to prepare him for a run here and he's trained well up to now.” J

ockey Christophe Lemaire, who notched four G1 victories in November alone, will be in the saddle seeking another one here.

Arctos – It will be just the second start in a JRA Grade 1 race for the 5-year-old, after he finished ninth in this year's February Stakes. He was able to turn the tables, however, on the latter race's winner when he beat Mozu Ascot in his latest race, the Mile Championship Nambu Hai at Morioka over 1,600 meters in October, which he won narrowly.

“After his last race, he went to the farm. He might get a bit stiffer in winter, but he's in very good condition, as he showed in his last race, and with the power he's got, he should be fine taking on the 1,800 meters this time,” said trainer Toru Kurita.

Arctos has eight wins from seventeen starts.

Sunrise Nova – The 6-year-old has a good race record in his thirty starts, finishing in the first three eighteen times, which have included ten wins. He was sixth in the Champions Cup in 2018, and he's tuned up for this year's race with a strong win in the Grade 3 Tokyo Chunichi Sports Hai Musashino Stakes at Tokyo in November.

Assistant trainer Kenichi Shono said, “He got to run his own race last time and showed good finishing speed. It's the best way for him to race, if he can save things until the end and then get switched for a late run down the outside.”

Trainer Hidetaka Otonashi looks like being doubly represented in the race, for as well as Sunrise Nova, he also trains Chrysoberyl. The trainer has thirteen JRA Grade 1 wins, and the latter gave him his only Champions Cup victory last year.

Chuwa Wizard – Another runner whose consistency is certainly his top salespoint, the 5-year-old by King Kamehameha has only been unplaced once in seventeen starts, and has nine wins to his name. He finished fourth in last year's Champions Cup. He had his first race since June at Oi last month, when he finished third to Chrysoberyl in the JBC Classic. Trainer Ryuji Okubo was pleased with his latest race.

“It was his first race in a while last time, and I thought he might need the run, but he ran smoothly, and with an aggressive first up race, I think it leads him nicely into this one,” said the trainer.

Gold Dream – If there's one horse to be a flag-bearer for dirt racing in Japan over the past five years, it would be Gold Dream. The Northern Farm bred 7-year-old won the Champions Cup in 2017, and ran second in the race last year, as well as having very good overall race results. He finished just sixth in the Mile Championship Nambu Hai last time, but trainer Osamu Hirata believes he's capable of better.

“Last time out, the rain made it a quick race, and he couldn't finish any closer than he did. In the meantime, he's been working well on the woodchip course with two other horses and seems very well, not showing his age at all,” said Hirata.

Clincher – The 6-year-old by Deep Sky is better known as a turf performer, and it's on that surface that he's competed in seven JRA Grade 1 races, as well as being a 2018 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe representative for Japan. He's been taking on dirt races since the beginning of this year, and after a good win in the Grade 3 Miyako Stakes last time, he comes into the reckoning here.

“It was a perfect win last time when he showed his power, and the jockey must also take credit for it. The horse has been tuning up nicely in training and he'll put in some strong work before the race,” commented trainer Hiroshi Miyamoto.

Jockey Kosei Miura looks set to get the big race ride.

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Chrysoberyl is undefeated in eight starts at home, including a narrow defeat of 2017 winner Gold Dream (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn) in this event 12 months ago (see below). Seventh to Maximum Security (New Year’s Day) in the US$20-million Saudi Cup in February, he was an intended runner in the G1 Dubai World Cup before that meeting’s cancellation and has since defeated the talented Omega Perfume (Jpn) (Swept Overboard) in his last two, including the Listed JBC Classic at Tokyo City Keiba Nov. 3. Omega Perfume misses the Champions Cup in favour of a three-peat attempt in the G1 Toyko Daishoten at month’s end.

Like the race favourite, Cafe Pharoah has only tasted defeat once in his career and emerged as the top dirt runner of his generation with victories in the Listed Hyacinth S. in February and the G3 Unicorn S. in June. He struggled when only seventh to Danon Pharaoh (Jpn) (American Pharoah) in the Listed Japan Dirt Derby in July, but resumed with a smart defeat of older rivals in the G3 Sirius S. (1900m) at Chukyo Oct. 3.

Clincher (Jpn) (Deep Sky {Jpn}), who finished well down the field in the 2018 G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, has been reinvented as a dirt horse and carries the Koji Maeda silks successful aboard Transcend (Jpn) (Wild Rush) in 2010 and 2011. He has a record of 1-4-1 from seven tries on the dirt and exits a comfortable success in the G3 Miyako S. at Hanshin Nov. 8.

Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}), winner of the G1 Yasuda Kinen on turf and a G1 February S. on dirt, makes the final start of his career before heading off to stud for 2021.

WATCH: Chrysoberyl takes out the 2019 Champions Cup

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