Dubai: The Japan Cup (G1) is one of three major races that has eluded the all-powerful Godolphin Stable, but Irish-trained Trading Leather will bid to make amends when he lines up to contest the 34th running of the $5.2 million (Dh19 million) contest on Sunday.
Trained by Jim Bolger at his Coolcullen yard in Country Carlow, Ireland, the four-year-old son of Teofilo faces some formidable opposition including the Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) winner Harp Star, back-to-back Japan Cup winner Gentildonna, and this year’s Dubai Duty Free (G1) sensation Just A Way in the 2,400 metre event
Godolphin are admired for their unflagging pursuit of major races around the world and remain committed to winning the Kentucky Derby (G1), Melbourne Cup (G1) and Japan Cup (G1).
Trading Leather goes into the race as a 25-1 outsider but has the class and appeal to become the 15th overseas winner of the race and first since Alkasased won in 2005 for UK-based Italian handler Luca Cumani.
Additionally, Bolger has received some positive feedback from Trading Leather’s workrider Pat O’Donovan who issued a upbeat bulletin following the colt’s recent workouts on Tokyo’s dirt course earlier in the week.
Trading Leather arrived in Japan last week following a 23-hour journey from Ireland and has been putting in some good work in preparation for Sunday’s race.
“We’re very happy with him — he’s in good form, he’s moving well and he’s giving me all the right vibes,” Donovan told the JRA website. “Hopefully we’ll use the grass on Thursday [for another piece of work].
“The horse is fit and we’re not worried about his fitness, but we just want to keep the edge on as well and don’t want to knock the edge off.”
“He was trained specifically for this race. He’s had a light season and since his last start in September, he regularly did some fast work once a week. He’s had his fast work done and he was very fit coming here, so all we want to do is maintain his fitness.”
Kevin Manning has ridden Trading Leather in all 15 of his starts and is expected to take the ride again on Sunday.
O’Donovan added: “The track here is a good galloping track, which he likes. With a slight climb as well, it’s probably similar to Leopardstown, even though it’s bigger — we have no concerns about the track and he needs quick ground.”
Trading Leather has raced four times this year. He finished a good third to The Grey Gatsby and Australia in the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) at Leopardstown, Ireland, in September having previously placed fifth in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Ascot in July.
He was also runner-up to Mukhadram in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) at Sandown Park the same month and stayed on to take third in the Jockey Club Stakes (G1) at Newmarket in May 3.
The Japan Cup is the world’s second richest turf horse race, after the Melbourne Cup (and third richest horse race of any kind, after the Dubai World Cup), surpassing the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which in 2008 was the world’s richest turf race.
