The Japanese import A Shin Rook (JPN) could not quite get the job done for Heart’s Cry in the Listed Kilmore Cup on Sunday but adequate compensation was not long in coming when Suave Richard improved on his third to Almond Eye last year to claim the Group 1 Japan Cup on a rain-softened track at Tokyo.
Given a rails hugging ride by Oisin Murphy, Suave Richard hit the line strongly to defeat the very game 3yo Deep Impact filly Curren Bouquetd’Or by three-quarters of a length with the favourite, the 2018 Japanese Derby winner, Wagnerian (Deep Impact) one and a half lengths back in third.
Trained by Yasushi Shono the Northern Racing bred 5yo finished third behind Cox Plate winner Lys Gracieux in the Group 1 Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin in June before prepping for the Japan Cup with a seventh behind the champion Almond Eye in the Group 1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) at Tokyo on October 27.
“Around the world the Japan Cup is one of the most important races and it’s a huge achievement and I’m truly thrilled to get the opportunity to be here,” Murphy said.
“I could have pushed Curren Bouquetd’Or out but it was always going to open up as the leader was getting tired.
“Japanese horses are becoming the best in the world and this is a great race to showcase that.
“The atmosphere here today was fantastic and I’d love to come to Japan every year. Si I hope you can do lots of cheering for me because I always do my best.”
Suave Richard was the second Japan Cp winner in three-years for Heart’s Cry who sired the 2017 winner Cheval Grand who was ridden by Hugh Bowman.
Suave Richard’s dam Pirramimma (Unbridled’s Song) was sent to Japan as a yearling where she failed to place in her two-start career.
Besides Suave Richard she is the dam of the Group III-placed Bandwagon (White Muzzle) as well as the 4yo Deep Impact mare Luna Stella who won her third race a fortnight back at Tokyo.
Pirramimma’s 2yo Deep Impact filly Lunacion made an impressive career debut when winning a newcomers race over 1800 metres at Tokyo on October 14. She has a yearling filly by Heart’s Cry and a filly foal by Lord Kanaloa.
Pirramimma is a daughter of the Grade II Sorrento Stakes winner Career Collection (General Meeting).
