Narukami The One To Beat In Champions Cup

[Wandering Eyes]

The Champions Cup on dirt has attracted a field of 16, and Narukami (Thunder Snow) holds pride of place in the advance markets on the back of his Listed Japan Dirt Classic victory in October. Chukyo's 1800-metre affair, a rare Japanese top-level event on dirt, is also the site of the favourite's only loss in six starts.

Assistant trainer Hiroyuki Yamazaki said of the Godolphin homebred who is booked in post 12 with Keita Tosaki aboard, “Since the Kozukata Sho, he's been a bit tense when taking the bit and racing well forward, and we want him to be more balanced, but he's been running well in recent training.”

Second in the Champions Cup and G1 Tokyo Daishoten in both 2023 and 2024, Wilson Tesoro claimed the Listed Mile Championship Nambu Hai at Morioka two starts back in October. Also a participant in the G1 Dubai World Cup in 2024/2025 and this year's G1 Saudi Cup, the son of Kitasan Black ran fifth in the Listed JBC Classic last out in early November.

Trainer Noboru Takagi said, “His fifth-place finish in the JBC Classic was a bit unexpected, and even though he didn't seem tired after winning the Nambu Hai, he might just have been so. That and the deep dirt track at Funabashi probably went against him. He'll be back for the Champions Cup, where he's finished second two years in a row to Lemon Pop.”

Never worse than second in seven starts, the six-for-seven W Heart Bond (Kizuna) set a new track record in the 1800-metre G3 Miyako Stakes in November. Covering that trip in a snappy 1:47.50, the four-year-old filly breaks from gate two with Ryusei Sakai in the irons. Sakai won the race in 2023/2024 with Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid).

Trainer Ryuji Okubo, who would be only the second trainer to saddle a filly to win the race, said, “She quickly got a forward position last time, and managed to fend off the second horse and win in record time, so it was an impressive performance. She's been at the stable since, and as she seemed a bit tired after that race, we've taken good care of her.”

Second to Wilson Tesoro in the Nambu Hai in October when making his dirt debut was Sixpence (Kizuna). Out of GI Madison Stakes heroine Finley'sluckycharm (Twirling Candy), the four-year-old colt is a three-time Group 2 winner on turf in Japan. Paired with Christophe Lemaire who is hunting for his third win in the race, the Carrot Farm runner is slotted in the 11 stall, next to Narukami. Lemaire was aboard the winners Kane Hekili (Fuji Kiseki) in 2008 and Belshazzar (King Kamehameha) in 2013.

Trainer Sakae Kunieda said, “It was his first race on dirt in the Nambu Hai last time and he drew a wide gate, but ran well all the same. He became a target for the winning horse to run down in the end, but he looks to have prospects in dirt races. After that run, he had a break at Northern Farm Tenei, and came back to the stable on November 19.”

If there was ever a horse made for Japanese dirt racing, it is Luxor Cafe. A winner of five of his nine starts, the full-brother to champion and dual G1 February Stakes hero Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah) claimed the G3 Musashino Stakes for a career high last out over 1600 metres at Tokyo last month. Also a half-brother to the American champion and multiple Group 1 winner Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom) and to dual graded winner Night Prowler (Giant's Causeway), the three-year-old will be ridden by Florent Geroux from the widest gate in stall 16.

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