Time Paradox, Zenno Rob Roy score in
Japan Cups
TIME PARADOX (Brian’s Time) was settled in 11th along the
inner rail down the backstretch in Sunday’s Japan Cup Dirt (Jpn-G1)
in Tokyo, but proved best by 2 1/2 lengths under jockey Yutaka
Take. The pair completed the about 10 1/2-furlong dirt test in 2:08.7.
“When I won the Japan Cup with Kurofune (French Deputy),
I had every confidence in winning the race because he was a
proven winner, but I can’t say the same for Time Paradox,”
admitted Take, who was winning his second Japan Cup Dirt. “So
I was thrilled by the unexpected win.”
Time Paradox angled in between horses on the final turn and
charged to the front in the last furlong for the authoritative
victory over Admire Don (Timber Country), who held second by a
length from Gene Crisis (Subordination).
“I concentrated on keeping him relaxed in the first half
of the race and waited for the right time to move,” Take
said. “Everything worked to our advantage and he was able to
run with the flow and he really held well after taking the lead.”
“Time Paradox has gotten tougher with age and seems to
have room for more improvement, even at six,” winning
trainer Hiroyoshi Matsuda said.
Total Impact (Chi) (Stuka) finished second by a nose for
trainer Laura de Seroux in the October 30 Fayette H. (G3) at
Keeneland and was settled in a stalking fifth here by jockey Mike
Smith. The pair surged to the front in the stretch, but couldn’t
hold on and finished fourth.
“The pace was a bit fast in the early stages, but we were
well positioned and he gave his best,” Smith said of the
second favorite. “The winner was just awesome.”
Total Impact was followed in the 16-horse field by Utopia (Forty
Ninier), Koolinger (Forty Hiner), Hard Crystal (Crystal Glitters),
Snark Rayearth (Assatis), Eagle Cafe (Gulch), Homan Bell Win (Commander
in Chief), Shirokita God Run (Genuine), Lohengrin (Singspiel [Jpn]),
Nike a Delight (Diablo), Omikron (Germany) and Vortex (Danehill).
In the Japan Cup (Jpn-G1), favored ZENNO ROB ROY (Sunday
Silence) forged to the front in midstretch and pulled clear down
the lane to score a confident three-length victory over the turf
in 2:24.2. It was the second straight win for the four-year-old
colt, who captured the Tenno Sho Autumn (Jpn-G1) last month.
The 16-horse field was strung out in a line down the
backstretch of the about 1 1/2-mile test, with pacesetting
Magnaten (Danzig) in front by as many as five lengths. Traveling
in the eighth position, jockey Olivier Peslier steered Zenno Rob
Roy to the outside on the final bend and overtook Cosmo Bulk (Zagreb)
with 200 meters to run before pulling off to win going away.
“I’m happy to win the Japan Cup after running third twice
with Symboli Kris S. (Kris S.),” winning trainer Kazuo
Fujisawa said. “Zenno Rob Roy has become a much tougher
horse over the last year and he trained well after winning the
Tenno Sho Autumn. Watching him today, he looked looked calm and
bold, so I had high expectations for today’s race.”
Cosmo Bulk held second by a neck over Delta Blues (Dance in
the Dark), who, in turn, was a head up on Policy Maker (Sadler’s
Wells). Completing the order of finish were Narita Century (Tony
Bin), Phoenix Reach (Ire) (Alhaarth), Lune d’Or (Fr) (Green Tune),
Er Nova (Sunday Silence), Hishi Miracle (Soccer Boy), Heart’s Cry
(Sunday Silence), Powerscourt (GB) (Sadler’s Wells), Tosen Dandy
(White Muzzle [GB]), Higher Game (Sunday Silence), Magnaten (Danzig),
Warrsan (Caerleon) and Hookipa Wave (Carnegie [Jpn]).
Powerscourt, who finished first in the Arlington Million (G1)
before being disqualified to fourth, ran third in the Breeders’
Cup Turf (G1) in his race prior to the Japan Cup.