THE Japanese slipped into the territory unheralded late in the week to capture the showpiece International Cup after Fujiyama Kenzan caught the gallant American runner Ventiquattrofogli in the dying strides of the 1,800-metre event at Sha Tin yesterday.
The seven-year-old entire - the Japanese rarely geld their horses as they feel it makes for 'half a horse' - had three-quarters of a length to spare on the line with the virtually unconsidered Jade Age running home strongly under Mick Kinane to snatch third place from 2.6-1 favourite, the local hero Mr Vitality. Fujiyama Kenzan, who clocked an all-time course record of one minute 47.0, knocking 0.3 seconds or around two lengths off Gold Belt's previous best set in 1989, was allowed to jump at 38-1 after a disappointing run in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup behind Red Bishop last spring.
But he had stormed home for fourth behind State Taj in last season's Cup and winning jockey, Masayoshi Ebina, was at pains to thank connections but particularly the Kansai-based handler Hideyuki Mori for their loyalty after these two failures in the territory. 'I'm particularly pleased to be able to come back and win because everyone has shown great faith in me,' said the 26-year-old Ebina who was riding his 416th career winner. Ebina is regularly in the top 10 Japanese jockeys these days.
He rode last season in Macau for a couple of days, has experience in America and his next trip could be to England for a week where he will be competing on the all-weather. Ebina sat in mid-division as Ventiquattrofogli led at a decent speed and was still in front going well as the 13-runner field swung for home. It was at this point that Basil Marcus made what looked as if it might be a race-winning move on Mr Vitality who came into the race with a perfect six from six since arriving from Australia.
Mr Vitality quickened and moved upsides Ventiquattrofogli but from 200 metres out he was unable to go with them. Marcus reported: 'I don't think he ran out the 1,800 metres.
I thought we had a big chance as we swung for home as he was travelling really well. When I asked him to go I thought he was going to pick up, kick a couple of lengths clear and go and win his race. 'But against this level of competition I just think he didn't see out the trip.' Ventiquattrofogli kept battling and even fought back once Fujiyama Kenzan drew upsides and moved half a length clear. The American runner lost nothing in defeat and both the first two home were given copybook rides by their jockeys. Jade Age ran the race of his life to come from off the pace for third but it is hard to disagree with Mick Kinane's view that he could have been flattered, running through beaten horses as the Irishman found a dream run on the inside.
