Magnificent Arc winner Montjeu is increasingly likely to run in the Japan Cup and his presence in Tokyo could sabotage real hopes of the $10 million Hong Kong Cup being the crucial decider in the first World Series Racing Championship.
Montjeu, who has been accorded a Timeform rating on a par with the great Dancing Brave, came out of the Longchamp thriller in fine shape according to trainer John Hammond.
Significantly, he has already had his required inoculations as a final decision is awaited.
Montjeu galloped to Arc glory through the mud under global star Mick Kinane, who was also yesterday prepared for an earlier than expected trip to Tokyo.
'It is very tempting for John [Hammond] and the owner, Michael Tabor, to go to Tokyo because the horse hasn't turned a hair from the Arc run. He is in grand shape,' said Kinane.
'Although he won the Arc on bad ground he acts very well on good ground. But he would not like it firm, that would not be a help at all.
'There was no real expectation of running anywhere after the Arc but they realise they have a top class racehorse in grand form who would have the beating of anything likely to run in Tokyo on his form,' added Kinane, who is due in Tokyo early in December and then in Hong Kong for the Jockeys' Invitation Series and the International Races.