JAPAN CUP
When we spoke about Japan's classic races the other day, we ought to have mentioned another important one that ranks alongside the Arima Kinen and Takarazuka Kinen. In other words, it's not a true classic, but it's certainly a race of note, and the timing for this piece couldn't be better, with the 32nd edition being held at Tokyo-Fuchu on the 25th of November.

Always held at the JRA Tokyo track (usually over 2400m), this is an invitational race, allowing Japanese-bred horses to compete with other international heroes and heroines of the turf. As well as having huge appeal for Keiba fans, it is one of the richest races in the world (with a purse of almost $6m US at today's exchange rates), so it naturally holds appeal for all involved, including the various owners, trainers and jockeys. 

Looking down the list of past winners, a few of the current racers listed at the bottom of the page have links with them - Special Week, Jungle Pocket, Zenno Rob Roy and El Condor Pasa spring straight to mind without even having to look through notes. So far, no horse has managed to win the race twice.

Took this snapshot on the train en route to Tokyo this morning. My money, and that of Louis the Keibaholic as it happens, is on Orfevre to win this Sunday, assuming he behaves himself on the day...