In its fourth edition, the $20 million Saudi Arabia Cup (G1) has truly become the Middle Eastern version of the Japan Cup (G1).
Beating six of the 13 starters, Japan overtook four of the five placers on February 25 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, led by Panthalassa , who took the lead to victory 3/4 length. Only one national grammar ruined the sweep, finishing second for the second year in a row with a late run.
Café pharoah go home third, followed by GeoglyphsAnd proud crown . Last year’s winner, line iconelevated from the start and unable to make up for lost, sixth, and most popular this year, steady friend of Country Grammer, Taiba chase pace early in the first leg but lackluster and finished eighth.
Of the six Japanese athletes participating in the race, only Rays of June And Vin De Garde disappointed, ranked seventh and eleventh respectively.
Panthalassa, a 6 year old child by Lord Kanaloa get out Montjeu mare Miss Pemberley won the Dubai Turf (G1T) last March in a deadly heat with North Lord who accidentally won the Winter Derby (G3) at Lingfield Park all-weather in England just hours before the Saudi Cup.
Starting only his second on dirt track, Panthalassa reacted immediately when jockey Yutaka Yoshido shot him out of the inner gate with a gun, being chased by tough Crown Pride, the winner of the match. The UAE (G2) Derby in 2022 and was part of the hot initial pace in the Kentucky Horse Racing match.
There was no moment in the race when Panthalassa appeared threatened, and he finished the 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 mile) in a time of 1:50.80. Country Grammer ended late when 3/4 of the way behind the winner.
Winning coach Yoshito Yahagi said: “Panthalassa had a perfect start today. “I applaud Yutaka’s jump. It was a great job by the equestrian. When I drew the first hurdle, I thought it was a big advantage for him, but it worked perfectly. .
“I really can’t believe it. I don’t know if that’s true at the moment. I think I was right when my feeling was right that he could handle the stain. You know. this is not easy. Japanese racing tries everything to improve and develop. Japanese horse racing has become more international. Of course, this is the best feeling because the prize money is the best!”
Connections for Panthalassa celebrate after he won the Arabian Cup at King Abdulaziz . Racetrack
Yoshido agrees that the surface change makes no difference to Panthalassa.
“Of course, they would lunge at me, but Panthalassa always finds another device, and so I keep driving,” said Yoshido. “It was an unforgettable moment, and I’m glad I rode the winner.”
Yahagi points out that the rest of the world can start looking for the elite of the Japanese racing world.
“If my owner (Hiroo Race) would let me go to Europe, I would love the challenge,” he said.
Panthalassa’s only previous start on dirt track had finished 11th in a listed race at Nakayama Racecourse, and his male was a grass sprinter. successful. However, his grandfather, King Kamehameha (JPN), produced successful ground runners and his name appears in the genealogy of four Japanese Saudi Arabian Cup runners.
After an initially unremarkable career, Panthalassa broke into the international scene at the age of five with the Dubai Turf championship. Returning home, he finished second in both Sapporo Kinen (G2) and Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G2). He finished the 2022 season with 10th place at the Hong Kong Cup (G1) in December and the Saudi Cup was his seasonal debut.
Country Grammer, who led the 2022 Saudi Arabia Cup before being crucified by Emblem Road, was the chaser this time. With Frankie Dettori in the iron, the 6-year-old son of tone artist had outdone his opponents by a long distance and took the lead while accelerating with every stride. He was trailing in the first leg when he couldn’t get his place in front of the leaders.
“He ran a super race,” Dettori said of Country Grammer. “At the beginning of the line, I thought, ‘Oh my god, I’m going to finish sixth.’ But he had too much heart. He wanted a mile and a quarter. Great results. They came back to me, but the winning column was there.”
Joao Moreira, aboard the Café Pharoah, said: “Walking out didn’t help, but I was able to get him into the position where he was inside and save land. He hit the line really hard and we did. I almost won the race. I’m extremely happy with his run.”
For coach Bob Baffert, it was the second heartbreaking finish of the day and the second time in a row that he almost missed the race for the richest man in the world. Two previous races, Havnameltdown had just been caught at the end of the Arabian Derby by the locally trained team king commissionerand last year Country Grammer won runner-up in the Saudi Cup.
“I always complain that the distance is too long,” Baffert said from his California base. “This year, it’s too short.”
Taiba, he said, “he doesn’t want to run today. He’s a funny horse.”
Baffert said Taiba and Havnameltdown will return to California, while Country Grammer will continue to Dubai to try to win a repeat at Mach 25 Dubai World Cup (G1).
“The good thing is that they hold this race every year,” Baffert said. “We’ll be back.”
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