$250 000 Grade 2 Ferdichenko Cup

A small but strong field takes to the turf for the headline event in Japan on Saturday, the $250 000 Grade II Ferdichenko Cup over a mile and a half. Considering the spread of betting from 2/1 to 9/1, this looks like a competitive event.

Band Of Budas, sent out by Chop, has solid recent form which includes both a grade 2 and a grade 3 victory. His form over the distance is strong, he’s a fit 5 year old with a good rider, and should be fresh from a 7 week break. He tends to come from the clouds, so don’t be too worried if he seems hopelessly placed coming into the home straight.

Psycho Babble looks, on the surface, to have a bit to do to win in this line up. However, Steff will take some hope from his good penultimate run in grade 2 company when he finished only 2.50 lengths behind Band Of Budas.

Majestic Water returned to the track last time out after well over a year off the track. He wasn’t disgraced, beaten 4.50 lengths into second in a grade 3, but his speed figure is well of the lofty highs he was recording before the break. As an eight year old, can Simshady get him to lift his game?

Jupiter’s Moons(Ire) comes into this race with two grade 1 wins behind him from his last four starts, both over this distance, and one at this track. Only recently turned four, this colt may still have his best to come and, with Ledwith aboard, he’s impossible to oppose if you can forgive his disappointing effort last time out in the Penn. Coolk may not have him at his peak though, considering that the colt drops back into a grade 2 for the first time in ages.

Tow The Dark is another improving four year old. He lifted his game to grab third in the grade 3 Mean Joe Green last time out and Jjfalcon will have done well if he gets the colt to lift his game again in this company.

Bxcvn has been disappointing since his win in the grade 2 Big City and his hard to select. Mitenpower will be hoping for a return to the form that saw this son of Tarlac record his two recent grade 2 victories.

Woodly has consistent recent form in stakes company and can be expected to put up another honest effort for Turfsurf. Expect him to be in the firing line turning for home.

Summary:

There isn’t much between all the runners in this field. At his best, Majestic Water could demolish them but I doubt he’s capable of reproducing that sort of form now. Jupiter’s Moons(Ire) looks the class here and he’s going to a confident selection with Band Of Budas to chase him home.