Japan Cup News (1) : Everything going according to plan for Japan Cup contenders

19 November 2002

The overseas contingent for the Japan Cup and Japan Cup Dirt have been transferred from the quarantine stables at Shiroi to Nakayama Racecourse where the races will be run this weekend, news reports from the Japan Racing Association (JRA) say.

Each of the foreign raiders had a barrier test to complete on Monday and no problems ensued.

King George winner Golan is back in the Orient for a second tilt at Japan's richest race and JRA has reported no hitches in his preparation. The condition of Falbrav, from Italy, was described as "good as usual."

The connections of the Classic winning French filly Bright Sky declared themselves happy with her preparation and a good blow out is expected at the track on Wednesday morning. 

The training of the Hong Kong hope Indigenous, meanwhile, "went well" at Shiroi, Edwin Wong Sau-fung, assistant trainer to Ivan Allan, said. Indigenous is in Japan for his third Cup run having finished second in 1999 and seventh in 2001.

Fresh from collecting Australia's greatest race with Media Puzzle, Irish trainer Dermot Weld's pot hunting around the Pacific Rim continues with Irresistible Jewel. "She's eating and working well," Tracy Crown, her work rider stated of the three-year-old filly that was well and truly put to the sword by Cup rival Bright Sky in a four length defeat in last month's Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp. 

No problems were emanating from the camp of Sarafan, the only American-trained runner, while British trainer Barry Hills' Storming Home is expected to work at Nakayama on Thursday under his big race jockey, the trainer's son, Michael.  

Of the home defence, last year's winner Jungle Pocket and Narita Top Road were reported doing some good work this morning at the Ritto Training Centre outside Tokyo. The former clocked 51 seconds for 800m on the Ritto slope course. Meanwhile, across town in the Miho Training Centre, Magnaten and Symboli Kris S were also seen putting in some good work ahead of this Sunday's test, the penultimate leg of the World Series Racing Championship.   

Meanwhile, exercise rider So Wai-yin for Red Sun, who will represent Hong Kong in the Japan Cup Dirt, is reported in good condition. "He was able to train quietly at Shiroi and it went well," So said.