Sunday is ‘vacant’ for Germany to claim a second Japan Cup, with unbeaten 3yo Tunnes being able to claim a US$3m Bonus having also taken-out the Grosser Preis von Bayern.
In coming off a 10 length victory in the Allianz Securities sponsored Preis von Bayern of 1m4f on a heavy turf track, he’ll also be eyeing the winners US$3.47m prize of this 42nd Japan Cup.
With total prizemoney of ¥864 million, or US$7.5m, there are 24 addition races world-wide that are held after the nomination date, and are open for selection with a US$3m winner’s bonus.
Also with a ¥4m, US$28,500, Winning Owners trophy the Japan Cup in association with Longines it over 2400m on turf at Tokyo Racecourse, and an invitational event for 3yo’s and Upwards.
With Tunnes drawing Gate 7 in a field of 18, he’ll be again ridden by Bauyrzhan Murzabayev for Peter Schiergen, and be carrying 55kg the same as all 4yo+ females, with 4yo+ males on 57kg.
In also winning the 138th Deutsches St Leger of 2800m by 8 lengths on soft going, before to a 50 day lay-off prior to his Munich victory, Tunnes had previously won over 2400m by 6 lengths.
In winning a Group 3 event over 1700m at his only start at 2 years, he was sold by Ronald Banscher for €38,000 at the Baden-Baden September Yearling Sale in 2020, bought by Holger Renz.
Racing in the tri-colour silks of Holger Renz, he’s a half-brother to twice German Horse of The Year and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Torquator Tasso, who now stands at Gestut Auenguelle.
Bred by Paul Vandeberg, and by the Bayer Zuchtrennen winning sire Guiliani, he’s the family of Galileo, Sea The Stars, via Champion Sprinter Tertullian, from placed Toylsome mare Tijuana.
It wasn’t until 1995 that Germany finally broke through for its Japan Cup success with the 5yo Lando winning in a time of 2:24.06sec under South African born British jockey Michael Roberts.
In twice being German Horse of The Year for trainer Heinz Jentzech, and winning 10 races for Gestut Haus Ittlingen, he became an influential sire, with Sound twice winning the Zipping Classic.
France has two 3yo colts, with the Fabrice Chappel trained Onesto also eligible for the US$3m Bonus having won the Grand Prix de Paris, and be ridden by Christophe Lemaire for the first time.
In fact, Onesto is also eligible for US$1.2m if second in the Japan Cup, $750,000 for third and $200,000 for fourth or below, and was a last start tenth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triumph to Alpinista.
Previously second in the Irish Champion Stakes and fifth in the Prix du Jockey-Club, he had earlier won the Prix Greffulhe of 2100m in May and was a Deauville 1600m winner as a 2 year-old.
Racing in the white and blue cap silks of Gerard Augustine-Normand, he was a 185,000Gns Tattersalls October Yearling by the champion Frankel, the family of Dansili, Cacique, Champs El Elysees.
Deauville based Stephane Wattel has his last-start Prix Niel winning 3yo colt Simca Mille being 7:4-3-0 for this season, having won from 1900 to 2400m and second in the Grand Prix de Paris.
Owned by Haras de la Perelle, he was passed-in for €68,000 at the 2020 Deauville Select Sale, being by the dual Group 1 winner Tamaquz being the family of Prix de Diane winner Sarafina.
However, its last year fifth placed Grand Glory who is the highest rated visitor, and be again ridden by Maxime Guyon for Gianluca Bietolini, having been fifth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Winner of the Prix Jean Romanet, and owned by Haras De Hus when traded for €2.5m at 2021 Vente d’Elevage, she’s a €18,000 Deauville Yearling, by Olympic Glory the family of Arapaho Miss.
And what of the Japanese, headed by last year’s third placed Sharhyar, winner of the Dubai Sheema Classic, the 2021 Toyko Yusun, the Japan Derby, and ridden by Japan based Christian Demuro.
In being Deep Impact’s only runner, Sharhyar will be challenged by 3yo Danon Beluga, by Heart’s Cry, having been fourth in the Triple Crown’s first two legs, the Satatsuki Sho and Tokyo Yusun.
