The 33rd Japan Cup Turf, left-handed, 2,400 m Weather: clear Turf: good Post time: 15:55
"Today's final race at Tokyo Racecourse, the 33rd Japan Cup, features seventeen runners over 2,400 meters."
"The last horse, Hit the Target, has entered the starting stall smoothly under Yutaka Take."
"The long-awaited showdown between the top horses from Japan and overseas begins now!"
At the commentator's call, the starting stalls flew open.
Gentildonna reacted fastest and charged straight ahead.
Ryan Moore glanced to his left while urging her on, keeping her accelerating.
A good break had immediately put them well ahead of many runners, but they would still have to expend some energy early on to secure a good pressing position.
On the inside, Christophe Lemaire and Yasuo Iwata were also quick to urge their mounts forward.
With their horses drawn inside, they naturally could not let Gentildonna secure such a favorable position so easily. Otherwise, the rest of the race would play right into her hands, greatly reducing their own chances of winning.
Although Gentildonna had the edge in physical contact, Eishin Flash was clearly quicker to accelerate.
He was going to set the pace for this race.
With no front-runner in the field, Christophe Lemaire intended to take the lead and keep control of the pace.
And he succeeded.
Ryan Moore did not have Gentildonna fight Eishin Flash for the lead right away.
Eishin Flash was a formidable racehorse, so Moore was content to settle into second or third.
The way the early stages had unfolded suited him quite well.
"Gentildonna broke well."
"Christophe Lemaire is pushing forward quickly. It looks like he intends to set the pace today."
"Eishin Flash has secured the lead, with the champion from two years ago, Japan Jordan, a length and a half behind."