First of the Japan Graded Races
Challenge Cup
Grade III
A mile and one quarter
Firm Turf
$750,000
All horses, 3 years old and up
1 GHOST DANCERS(KY)
Record: 28-4-7-5
Owner: super22
Jockey: R Duffy
Odds: 7/2
In excellent consistent form with speeds over 100 and 113 only 2 races ago. Running around the 10 furlong mark too so distance all good here. He just seems to find it hard to actually close out the race for a win. May even want a bit more distance to run to. Need to keep persevering – you would think a place here for sure.
2 NORTHERN FRONT(KY)
Record: 29-5-7-2
Owner: agk04
Jockey: G Arnold
Odds: 7/2
Has been running over the 8 furlong mark so the trainer asking for a lot more distance here today, well a little bit more anyway and I think this 5yo will only relish the extra length. Has been closing well just wanting more room – look to see him challenge here.
3 LIGHT TRIPPER(IRE)
Record: 32-12-10-1
owner: tripwire
Jockey: K Ledwith
Odds: 6/5
In exquisite form, 4 wins on the trot starting off with an Allowance, 2 G2 races and then his last race a speed of 113 in the 10.5f G1 Judgemont International. Hot favourite here at 6/5 odds with the tote and really looks very very good. Likes to lead – has pace and stamina – hard to beat here.
4 BROKEN BLUFF(KY)
Record: 17-5-1-2
Owner: nagsrus2
Jockey: A Hudson
Odds: 46/1
This is of course a horse from one of my stables. Only just picked it up so this is the first race with my stables. Absolutely no chance here. A miserable pathetic runner of a horse.
5 SHIMMERING LIGHT(IRE)
Record: 19-6-2-2
Owner: cocoabeach
Jockey: W Lloyd
Odds: 4/1
Looked in good from in May of this year where he got 2 wins in a row, one of them in Graded company in the G2 Kinsho Kho Classic. Since then though has really dropped off the pace although did manage a 5th place and still closing well finish in the G1 Windy City Turf Classic 2 runs back. Last race was no good though over 5.5 furlongs. Hard to tell but will struggle here probably.
6 UNGROOMED(IRE)
Record: 24-5-4-6
Owner: nofear
Jockey: C Roser
Odds: 6/1
Can run the distance and further as he has been closing well. Just is not consistent and is just coming out of a bad patch of form maybe… Needs to life again in both form and speed to have any chance here today.