|
|
Alkaased holds on in swashbuckling finish to Japan Cup 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.
 Send this article to a friend
|
|
