Melbourne, Vic (November 30, 2009) - In Japan on Sunday, Vodka became the first locally trained female to win the Group I Japan Cup (2400m) in the race’s 30-year history.

Before a huge crowd, many of them fans of Vodka, at Fuchu racecourse in  Tokyo, Vodka lasted by the barest margin when she nosed out Oken Bruce Lee (Jungle Pocket - Silver Joy by Silver Deputy), for top honours.

In claiming her tenth career win, Vodka gave Melbourne Cup winning trainer, Katsuhiko Sumii his first Japan Cup victory and was ridden for the first time by Christophe Lemaire, who replaced Yutaka Take after two defeats this season.
Vodka travelled kindly for Lemaire in fifth spot, as the race was run at a muddling tempo and rounding the home turn gaps appeared and Vodka strode to the front to gain a winning break.  Although the daughter of Tanino Gimlet (Brian’s Time - Tanino Crystal by Crystal Palace) began to shorten stride with only metres to go, Oken Bruce Lee just failed to catch her when it mattered most.
In winning her sixth grade one event, Vodka ran a very slick 2 minutes, 22.4 seconds on firm going - the third fastest Japan Cup.
The three-year-old filly Red Desire (Manhattan Cafe - Great Sunrise by Caerleon), winner of the G1 Shuka Sho, was third another length-and-a-half away.
Two-time Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Conduit ran a solid race for fourth and was the first foreign horse home.
Conduit will commence stud duties in Japan next year at Big Red Farm in Hokkaido.
The Japan Cup maybe the last time fans of Vodka will see her race as she bled from the nose after the event.
With more than AU$16million in the bank Vodka is the best performer in her family for many generations being out Tanino Sister (by Rousillon) a half-sister to the Grade 3 winner Three Avenue (by Afleet).

Tags: Group I, Japan
Permalink| Nov 30, 2009

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