Yutaka Take looking forward to a showdown with Auguste Rodin

Tuesday, 19 November, 2024 20:10

The home team with 18 consecutive victories or the overseas team with a strong line-up? The mood is more competitive than usual pre-race build-up to the Japan Cup. The leading Japanese horse is Do Deuce, who will retire at the end of the year, after a return to his best form in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn). The leading overseas horse is Auguste Rodin, winner of six G1 races, including the English and Irish Derby. Yutaka Take will once again take the ride on Do Deuce. Take was the main jockey of Deep Impact, the sire of Auguste Rodin.

With the pride of carrying the Hinomaru flag on his back, Do Deuce is the leading hope for Japan, ready to take on a strong contingent from overseas. In his last race, the Tenno Sho (Autumn), he won a G1 title for the fourth consecutive year.

He will once again go to post in the hands of Japanese racing icon, the legendary Yutaka Take. Take was also the main rider of Deep Impact, the sire of one of Do Deuce's main dangers in the lineup, Auguste Rodin. Take said "This year we have a big name from overseas for the first time in a long time and he is from the last generation of Deep Impact. I did morning trackwork with him in Ireland, but I rode in a car, not on the horse. He's a good horse. His footwork is very similar to Deep Impact. It's exciting, isn't it? He's a top-class horse and I'm looking forward to racing him."

After winning his first autumn race, the Tenno Sho (Autumn), Do Deuce began training the following Tuesday. He showed no major effects from the performance that was right up with his best. One week ago, the pattern was ridden as usual by legendary jockey. He recorded his 'usual' fast time of 6F 80.9-35.7-10.9 on the Ritto woodchip course, and Yutaka smiled to himself and said "I'll get caught for speeding. It's as good as ever, and he's also relaxed. It's rare to see a horse this tough."

Do Deuce won the G1 Asahi Cup Futurity Stakes as a juvenile and has improved with every step of his career. His trainer, Tomomichi, has noted that his muscles have become more prominent as he has lost lean parts of the body" adding "Last year he got better every time he raced, but this year he has been good since the Tenno Sho (Autumn). In terms of strength, he is in better shape this time than he was for the Tenno Sho." The five-year-old's progress is so unstoppable that it would be a shame to see him retire after this year. As the countdown to his final race draws near, will he beat the best of the best at home and abroad?

Article Creds:Daily Sports

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