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.