Group 1 Japan Champions Cup form, odds and free tips
THE Group 1 Champions Cup at Chukyo Racecourse runs this Sunday at 4.30pm where Japan’s best middle distance dirt horses take to the track.
In its third year under the Champions Cup name, the 1800m feature has attracted a world-class field and the betting has become very popular after the successful Japan Cup carnival last month.
A field of 15 will line up on Sunday for the Champions Cup and leading bookmaker Bet365.com has a full market available.
2016 Champions Cup market
1. Kafuji Take – $51
2. Awardee – $1.90
3. Brightline – $101
4. Asukano Roman – $41
5. Roi Jardin – $34
6. Monde Classe – $67
7. Lani – $21
8. Sound True – $14
9. Nonkono Yume – $6.50
10. Meisho Sumitomo – $101
11. Capano Rickey – $8.50
12. Gold Dream – $7.50
13. Bright Idea – $101
14. Apollo Kentucky – $26
15. Moanin – $10
Most of the money has come for JBC Classic winner Awardee which is currently riding a six-race winning streak. The experience six-year-old is the odds-on favourite to make it 11 wins from 32 starts, but punters have backed a few to beat it.
Gold Dream has been specked at each way odds after its second placing in the Musashino Stakes at Tokyo last month and Nonkono Yume has also been backed after two solid recent placings.
Group 1 Champions Cup tips
Awardee is a classy six-year-old which has breeding on its side. It’s by Japanese Derby winner Jungle Pocket and it out of Tenno Shot Autumn winner Heavenly Romance.
Its last two wins have come at Group three level on the dirt and its form has improved significantly since moving from turf to dirt.
“In the JBC Classic, he was let loose to go head-to-head with his biggest rivals and in the end he held them off and pulled away,” trainer Mikio Matsunaga said.
“Now with the move to Chukyo (over) 1800 metres, I think the lap times will be totally different from his last race. I don’t know whether he’ll be able to handle that well or not.
“I’m looking forward to it, but we’re considering him a challenger.
The JBC Classic win was full of merit and it’s not hard to see why Awardee is the odds-on favourite at $1.90 with Bet365.com.
Gold Dream is coming off an unlucky second placing in the Musashino Stakes where it was blocked for a run in the straight before stretching out nicely.
Trainer Osamu Hirata is extremely confident that his three-year-old colt by Gold Allure will be tough to beat at odds of $7.50.
“In his last start, the Musashino Stakes, he was blocked in the stretch, but when it opened in front he accelerated very nicely,” Hirata said.
“It wasn’t enough to catch the front-runner, who had aimed to go wire-to-wire, but we now have something to look forward to.
“He’s a strong horse and he recovered quickly from that race. He’s full of energy and on November 23 he clocked 57.4 seconds up the hill course.”
Hirata has no questions about Gold Dream seeing out a strong 1800m and he believes if it starts with them, it should be tough to beat.
“The first two races of his career, both wins, were over 1800 metres. He has stamina, so I’m not worried,” Hirata said.
“If he starts normally, there shouldn’t be any problem.”
Nonkono Hume has been the best-backed runner to beat Awardee at $6.50 with Bet365.com and trainer Yukihiro Kato believes being gelded has turned the horse around.
“He used to be quite headstrong, but this last time, he was very quiet in the parade ring, which is a good thing,” Kato said.
“I think being gelded has helped a lot.”
Kato is expecting his runner to settle back from the draw before being unleashed late in the race.
“We’ll try to keep him patient, wait until he has room in the stretch and accelerate at once for the final drive.
Predicted finish:
1st – Awardee
2nd – Gold Dream
3rd – Nonkono Hume
4th – Moanin
Moanin didn’t have the best of luck in the Musashino Stakes and punters should forgive that effort. It has worked well since and it could provide the upset at $10 with Bet365.