Mike Charlton’s ALKAASED (Kingmambo) did just enough to parry a late thrust
from Heart’s Cry (Sunday Silence) and hold on by a whisker in Sunday’s Japan Cup
(Jpn-G1), setting a new world record of 2:22.1 for 1 1/2 miles on firm turf.
Trained by Luca Cumani, the English-based five-year-old gave jockey Frankie
Dettori his third victory in this premier international contest, after Singspiel
(Ire) in 1996 and Falbrav (Ire) in 2002.
An all-star cast had assembled for the Tokyo showpiece. Among the principals
were the defending Japan Cup titleholder and betting favorite, Zenno Rob Roy
(Sunday Silence); 2004 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) queen and dual
classic winner, Ouija Board (GB) (Cape Cross [Ire]); last year’s Prix de l’Arc
de Triomphe (Fr-G1) hero, Bago (Fr) (Nashwan); two-time Coronation Cup (Eng-G1) and
Grosser Preis von Baden (Ger-G1) king, Warrsan (Caerleon); American challengers
Better Talk Now (Talkin Man), 2004 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) upsetter, and King’s
Drama (GB) (King’s Theatre [Ire]), most notably victor of the Sword Dancer
Invitational S.
(G1); Heart’s Cry, second choice in the wagering out of respect for his valiant
places in two of Japan’s prestigious Group 1 prizes; and Alkaased, the Grand
Prix de Saint-Cloud (Fr-G1) winner this season.
When the gates sprang open, Tap Dance City (Pleasant Tap), who had pulled off
the score in the 2003 Japan Cup, roared to the front, with Stormy
Cafe (Admire Vega) in hot pursuit. Although fast fractions were expected, few
could have forecast the withering pace that was dished out as the trailblazer
careered through the first five furlongs in slightly more than :58 1/5, and the
top pair opened up daylight on the field.
At the top of the homestretch, Tap Dance City paid the price for his frenetic
early speed, visibly tiring, and Stormy Cafe had
surrendered as well. Ouija Board then ranged up boldly under Kieren Fallon, and
Dettori pulled Alkaased just to her outside and proffered his challenge. While
Ouija Board could not sustain her momentum, Zenno Rob Roy exploded down the
center of the track for Kent Desormeaux, and for a brief moment, he hinted at a
reprise of last year’s stunning victory. But just as Zenno Rob Roy neared
Alkaased’s throat, the Japanese champion could not deliver the coup de grace and
began to hang.
Alkaased, staying on strongly, powered into a clear lead, and the laurels
looked well within his grasp. However, in deep stretch, Heart’s Cry made a last stab
for the home team and burst through to Alkaased’s inside, gaining ground
rapidly. The wire came just in time for Alkaased, with the barest nostril to
spare over Heart’s Cry, still a Group 1 bridesmaid.
“After crossing the wire, my gut feeling was that I had won,” Dettori said.
“But the (Japan Racing Association) who’s always a professional and quick to put
the orders on the board left me suffering and sweating for 20 minutes.”
“(Alkaased) travels well and is laid back and a willing athlete,” Cumani said
of his charge. “Frankie knows this horse very well so I left it up to him.
Frankie did everything as usual and got the job done.”
Zenno Rob Roy finished 1 3/4 lengths behind in third, nosing out Lincoln
(Sunday Silence). Ouija Board kept on creditably for fifth. The other major
contenders were well beaten, with Bago a non-threatening eighth after reportedly
being bumped and hurting his left hind leg; Tap Dance City ended up 10th; Better
Talk Now, 12th; Warrsan, 13th; King’s Drama, 16th; and Stormy Cafe an exhausted
last of 18.
Bred by Clovelly Farms in Kentucky, Alkaased is out of classic-placed
champion Chesa Plana (GB) (Niniski), who was Germany’s highweight older mare at
11-14 furlongs in 1993. She is a full sister to Group 1-winning stayer San
Sebastian, and her half-sister is Noushkey (Polish Precedent), a Group 3 heroine
who ran second in the 1999 English Oaks (Eng-G1). Chesa Plana has an unraced
two-year-old colt named Glory Pass (Tiznow), a yearling filly by Woodman, and a weanling
colt by
Lycius. Currently in foal to E Dubai, Chesa Plana was offered at the Keeneland
November Sale, but she was not sold after her reserve wasn’t met after a final
bid of $140,000 was attained.
As a yearling, Alkaased was sold for $325,000 to Shadwell Estate Company at
the 2001 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. After he ran six times over two seasons for
trainer Sir Michael Stoute, Shadwell put him up for auction at the Tattersalls
Autumn Horses in Training Sale in 2003, where he was knocked down for 42,000
guineas to Jessica Foster, agent for present owner Charlton.
Alkaased owns six wins and seven seconds in 16 career starts. The handsome
bay, who has now scored twice at the Group 1 level, has missed out on two chances to
add to his tally. He was forced to skip the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after
suffering a small cut on his leg that became infected. Then he intended to line
up in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, but the ground turned soft, and his blood work
showed residual effects from the infection. One more
shot at Group 1 glory looms next month in Hong Kong, and Alkaased may take up
the challenge.