2024 Japan Cup: Group 1 Review
Venue: Tokyo Racecourse
Distance: 2400m
Value: ¥1,085,000,000 (US$7,010,176)
The world came for the G1 Japan Cup (2400m) in 2024, seeking to end a 19-year drought, but it was the same man who wrested the title back for the locals in 2006 – Yutaka Take – who once again played the spoiler as he guided Do Deuce to a victory that somehow seemed both predictable and improbable.
The win was straightforward in that the Yasuo Tomomichi-trained Do Deuce was sent out the $2.30 favourite locally off the back of an impressive last-to-first success in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m). Even for a horse not known for his consistency, there was little doubt that he was lining up as the horse to beat.
Through halfway, though, it would have been a brave soul that wagered on Do Deuce given the position he found himself in. In order to win, it required a better performance than he had ever produced – even better than the day he defeated Equinox at the course and distance in the G1 Tokyo Yushun (2400m).
THE RACE
A messy start saw outsider Struve left behind with very few wanting to press on to lead. The only jockey showing any aggression from the gates was Ryusei Sakai on Shin Emperor, and even he seemed reluctant to fulfil the pace-setting role turning out of the straight.
That led to a sleepy Sunday stroll of 62.2 seconds through the first 1000m and, seemingly, an opportunity for any number of jockeys to use their initiative in ramping up the tempo. Only one took the chance, with William Buick making a decisive move aboard Durezza to take up the running from the 1400m; perhaps less tactical nous and more just a matter of circumstance, but still a game-changer that proved important to the final result.
As the pace slowly increased, Take was still last and wide, spotting the leader around seven lengths with 800m to go. All was not lost, as he was on the horse who clearly had the best turn of foot, but there was a fine line for Take to tread in timing his run to perfection.
The 55-year-old showed the wisdom accrued over four decades in the saddle, pushing the button on Do Deuce at just the right time to sweep past his rivals before holding off the rallying Shin Emperor and Durezza, who could not be split for second. His final 600m of 32.7 seconds was the equal fastest time ever recorded in a Japanese Group 1 race at 2400m and beyond.
THE WINNER
For all of his brilliance, Do Deuce has spent much of his career in the shadows.
He was the top two-year-old of his season in 2021, but as a three-year-old he was cast firmly aside by the exploits of Equinox – even as one of two horses to have beaten him when winning the Tokyo Yushun. Instead, he went to the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m), where he struggled on genuinely supple ground to finish 19th of 20.
At four, he was once again firmly overshadowed by Equinox and, even though he won the G1 Arima Kinen (2500m) at the end of last year, it felt like a consolation prize, a crowning of the “best of the rest” rather than a genuine coronation.
This campaign has done more to cement his legacy than anything he achieved before, including that Japanese Derby success. Those Group 1 wins at two, three and four established him as a star, but it will be his five-year-old exploits that will catapult him into the realm of the greats.
THE BEATEN LOCALS
Both Durezza and Shin Emperor were coming off unplaced efforts in Europe, but had performed to a level that suggested they were capable of figuring with the right runs. They certainly were in the right position given the way the race was run and both performed to their best. They are worth following in 2025.
Cervinia, stepping up to take on her elders for the first time, performed admirably. She was outsprinted after losing her position mid-race, but it was an effort that suggests she can feature at four – provided she takes a step forward, something which Sunday Racing barnmate Liberty Island is yet to prove.
Justin Palace did what Justin Palace has become renowned for, running on late but failing to challenge the winner. Perhaps there were excuses given the tempo but it is also becoming a hallmark of his career.
Most noteworthy of the remainder was the poor performance of Sol Oriens, who weakened significantly despite racing handy to the speed. He was eased near the finish.
THE VISITORS
The three internationals would have arrived in Tokyo with hopes high for a firm surface and a solid tempo. After all, who could forget Panthalassa setting up a fast tempo last year, the latest in a long line of fast-run Japan Cups.
It would have been quite a rude awakening when they went through the first 1000m almost five seconds slower than last year – once and for all dispelling the notion that all Japanese races are run at a breakneck speed.
Fantastic Moon’s race was run upon exiting the straight for the first time, while Auguste Rodin – who sweated up badly behind the stalls – sat deep and ultimately could not match the sprint of Do Deuce.
Of the three, Goliath was perhaps best poised to strike, particularly after Christophe Soumillon quickened along the rail entering the back. He ended up right on the heels of early leader Shin Emperor before being shuffled back when Durezza moved around the outside.
With his extravagant action, he would have been better suited outside runners and Soumillon would have been the ultimate rider to take advantage when the already slow tempo slackened further.
While he had clear air in the straight, he did have horses on either side of him and there was little opportunity to build momentum.
THE QUOTE
Yutaka Take (Do Deuce, 1st): “I was very confident of a good performance today. I expected the pace to be slow but I felt it was slower than even I could have expected, so I was a little bit nervous mid-race but the horse did a good job. Do Deuce was keen to go on with it and so I let him run early, it might have been too early but when we got to the straight, he did it too easily. I wasn’t sure I would win because the pace was so slow, horses normally can’t win from that position, but he is a very special horse.
“This is my best Japan Cup memory, for sure. He will retire at the Arima Kinen and I hope he can retire as a winner. This year, there were good horses from overseas, and so I wanted to let the world know that Do Deuce is a great horse. He certainly did that.”
THE FUTURE
Do Deuce will bring the curtain down on his career in the Arima Kinen at Nakayama. He already joined T M Opera O, Zenno Rob Roy, Kitasan Black and Equinox in winning the Tenno Sho (Autumn), Japan Cup and Arima Kinen treble, but will become a member of an even more exclusive club – featuring just T M Opera O and Zenno Rob Roy – should he sweep all three races in the same season.
Both Durrezza and Shin Emperor will likely be voted in, but whether they take their place next month is another question entirely.
Goliath has not been ruled out of the G1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) in two weeks, but Fantastic Moon will retire to stand at Germany’s Ebbesloh Stud after his disappointing 11th ∎
