Lord Stanley’s globetrotting OUIJA BOARD (GB) (Cape Cross [Ire]), already a
Group/Grade 1 winner on three continents, will attempt to add the Japan Cup
(Jpn-G1) to her trophy case on Sunday in Tokyo. Beaten just two lengths when
fifth last year, the five-year-old has stars DEEP IMPACT (Sunday Silence) and HEART’S CRY
(Sunday Silence) standing in her way.
“I’m confident she’s well; but we’ve got
two very good colts to beat, arguably the best two in the world at the moment,”
trainer Ed Dunlop told Racing Post. “She may be the best filly in the world, and
we’ll be getting two kilos which will help, but you can’t be confident against
those two, and home ground is a big advantage to them. She’s defied us so many
times, though. Let’s hope she can do it again.”
Last year’s Japanese Triple Crown hero Deep Impact lost his unbeaten record
when beaten a half-length by Heart’s Cry in the Arima Kinen (Jpn-G1) in December. He
resumed his winning ways this past spring with three straight victories,
including the Tenno Sho (Spring) (Jpn-G1) and the Takarazuka Kinen (Jpn-G1), before preparing
for a tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1). After being forwardly placed in
that test, the four-year-old was passed late by Rail Link (Dansili [GB]) and Pride
(Peintre Celebre) and crossed the line third. He was later disqualified when a post-race
urine test revealed the presence of a bronchodilator. The journey back home does
not appear to have taken too much out of Deep Impact.
“He’s been gradually
shifting into high gear after returning here,” trainer Yasuo Ikee said. “He did
a fast time despite running on his own, so I think he’s maintained in an
extremely good condition. I just hope that he will be able to run in his usual
style and give everyone a performance to remember in the Japan Cup. We are doing
our best to prepare him for this race and I believe that he will respond to our
expectation.”
Heart’s Cry, beaten a nose in last year’s Japan Cup, followed his
defeat of Deep Impact with a sharp victory in the Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1) at Nad al Sheba. The five-year-old has started just once since then,
finishing third by a length to Hurricane Run (Ire) (Montjeu [Ire]) in the King George VI and
Queen Elizabeth Diamond S. (Eng-G1) at Ascot.
A total of 11 will go postward in the 1 1/2-mile showpiece.