Japan’s Dubai Team Evolving, As Luxor Cafe Withdrawn From Dubai World Cup

[Wandering Eyes]

Group winner Luxor Café (American Pharoah) and two compatriots landed at Japan's Kansai International Airport on St Patrick's Day, Tospo Keiba reported on Tuesday. Originally slated to run in the G1 Dubai World Cup at Meydan on March 28, the full-brother to dual G1 February Stakes hero Café Pharoah will instead look to targets closer to home, as the Iranian conflict continues.

One of three horses to return to the Land of the Rising Sun on Tuesday morning, he was joined by Shin Forever (Complexity) and G2 UAE Derby hope Keiai Agito (Espoir City) on the Japan-bound flight. The multiple group-placed Shin Forever had been due to contest the G2 Godolphin Mile. The trio have entered re-entry quarantine just after midday at Miki Horseland Park.

A fourth horse, G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen starter T O Elvis (Volatile) will not travel to Dubai trainer Daisuke Takayanagi told Net Keiba. He has re-routed to the Listed Tokyo Sprint (NAR-G3) at Oi on April 15.

Japanese Foursome Leave For Dubai On Wednesday

Dual G1 Saudi Cup hero Forever Young (Real Steel) will not be defending Japan's honour solo in less than two weeks. Despite the travel risk level set at Level 3 earlier this month by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, four horses will lift off for Dubai on Wednesday morning.

G1 Dubai Turf entrant Gaia Force (Kitasan Black) worked uphill at the Ritto Training Centre covering four furlongs in :55.40 as of Tuesday. A dual Group 2 winner, he has placed in a trio of Group 1s in Japan, the most recent the Mile Championship behind Jantar Mantar (Palace Malice). G1 Sprinters Stakes hero Lugal (Duramente), preparing for the G1 Al Quoz Sprint, covered the same distance.

The latter's trainer Harushi Sugiyama told Tospo Keiba, “In :55-:56 seconds. The clock will come out as usual.”

Another horse set for Japan is listed winner Pyromancer (Pyro), who ran his four furlongs in :54.30 ahead of a start in the G2 UAE Derby. James Doyle will ride. Said trainer Keiji Yoshimura, “As planned. Even after entering the quarantine stable, he does not change and he responds to changes in the environment.”

Blitzing four furlongs in :51.0 was Nettaiya Rai (Contrail). He is also due to run in the UAE Derby and was ridden by Ryusei Sakai for Yoshito Yahagi. Yahagi won the UAE Derby with Forever Young back in 2024.

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