All Eyes On Sodashi In Champions Cup

The world's best-known–not to mention most-talented–white Thoroughbred, Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune) gets a different sort of test when she tries the dirt for the first time in Sunday's G1 Champions Cup (ex Japan Cup Dirt) at Chukyo Racecourse, a race won in scintillating fashion by her sire 20 years ago.

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.”

 

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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Japan: Superstar White Filly Sodashi Tries Dirt, Faces Cafe Pharoah In Sunday’s Champions Cup

There's a slight gear change this coming Sunday, when the top racing action in Japan moves west from Tokyo to the Chukyo Racecourse near Nagoya for the Grade 1 Champions Cup. The race started out as the Japan Cup Dirt back in the year 2000, when it was run at Tokyo over 2,100 meters (about 1 5 /16 miles). After a few other changes with the venues and the distance of the race, it has been run at Chukyo over 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) since 2014, when it also got its current name, the Champions Cup.

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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Japan: All-White Sodashi Makes The Switch To Dirt In Dec. 5 Champions Cup

All-white cult horse Sodashi is set to try dirt for the first time on her next start in the Champions Cup under a change that could open more options for the Classic winner.

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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Saudi Cup: Japanese Grade 1 Winner Chuwa Wizard ‘In Really Good Form’

Japan's challenger in Saturday's $20 million Saudi Cup has made his second visit to the Gulf region with hopes from connections that it will be more successful than his first.

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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