Hot on the scent of Japanese raider Obamburumai taking out the $10m James Squire Golden Eagle last year, its Ascoli Piceno who is the $4.60 favourite with betting agencies.
With a host of new-age million-dollar races seeking Group 1 status, it’s the Group 1 winning Ascoli Piceno who elevates the $10m Golden Eagle for 4yo’s over 1500m at Rosehill Gardens.
Weighted on 54.5kg, she has not altered in the betting having drawn wide in Barrier 17 of 20 runners, and will be ridden by the in-form international Joao Moreira for trainer Yoichi Kuroiwa.
In being voted the JRA Best 2YO Filly of 2023 in winning the Gr1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies of 1600m, she earlier won both starts including the Gr3 Niigata Nisai 1600m and a Tokyo 1400m 2yo maiden.
Coming off a victory in the Gr3 Keisei Hai Autumn of 1600, she was earlier twice Group 1 second in the Japanese 1000 Guineas and NHK Mile Cup, now with a 6:4-2-0 record and $2.7m in stakes.
In being bred by Northern Farm, and by the champion sprinter-miler Daiwa Major, Ascoli Piceno is the family of Henrythenavigator and Magician, from the winning Danehill Dancer mare Ascolti.
Priced as the $6.50 third pick is the unbeaten French visitor Lazzat who last won the Gr1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, and will be ridden by Antonio Orani for Jarome Reynier in drawing Gate 12.
With Newmarket’s William Haggas being no stranger to Sydney Group 1 success, this time it’s the Gr 2 Gimcrack Stakes winner Lake Forest at $31 for Englishman Cieren Fallon, from Gate 8.
Also from Japan is the $61 shot Corazon Beat, being the mount of Tommy Berry for trainer Shizuya Kato and in jumping from Barrier 19 is a winner of the Gr2 Keio Hai Nisal of 1400m.
With Joao Moreira riding Ascoli Piceno for the first time last week he said “She’s a very good horse and she seems very healthy, I really can’t fault the way she’s going around.’’
“If she’s able to hold that condition, or improve a little more, which might be the case as she’s been travelling, that would be good, while time in quarantine gives room for improvement.”
“I couldn’t be happier with her, as one advantage she’ll bring from Japan is experience in large fields, and a variety of barrier positions, while all her starts have been on good ground.”
However, with Joao Moreira scoring a three-quarter victory over Ascoli Piceno in the Japanese 1000 Guineas with Stellenbosch, its “I’m extremely confident that she’s more than capable.”
“I did beat her in a Group 1 race over there and it took a really good horse to get her beaten, and I think I’m on the right horse, and If everything goes all right she is a big winning chance.”
“You don’t need the real Group 1 winners there to come over here and win Group 1 races, as the quality of Group 1s over there is so high, while some factors are going to play a big role.”
The Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering, Nevesh Ramdhani said the quality of the international runners, along with the best of Australia, has made this field the strongest yet.
“With a capacity of 20 runners the James Squire Golden Eagle has become one of the most watched and most wagered races all year, and the eyes of racing will be on Rosehill Gardens.
“If Japan can take out back-to-back James Squire Golden Eagle in just the sixth running, and we would be delighted to see major Australian stables targeting as their ‘Grand Final’ in Spring.”
