Japan Cup (G1) winner Epiphaneia’s name was on the list of three races when nominations for Dubai World Cup night were taken in January.
Having won a championship event over 2,400 metres on turf in Tokyo, it was no surprise to see that he had been nominated to the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1). But, with $10 million (Dh36.7 million) in the pot, it was also understandable that his connections decided to nominate him to the Dubai World Cup (G1), which is returning to dirt this year. Epiphaneia has never raced on dirt.
In addition, to keep all doors open, they also added him to the list of possible runners in the Dubai Turf (G1) — a task that would mean a radical drop in distance for this classy son of Symboli Kris S.
One thing is certain, we will be seeing this horse at Meydan on March 28. But in which race?
His trainer Katsuhiko Sumii has stated a preference for the Sheema Classic, the natural target, and also said they had no similar contest for Epiphaneia in Japan at this time of the year.
Epiphaneia will come fresh to Meydan, without a prep run under his belt. Such an approach has worked well for several horses coming to World Cup night over the years and the fact he has not raced since December is no disadvantage.
Epiphaneia — who was last seen running fifth to last year’s “Sheema” winner Gentildonna in the Arima Kinen (G1) — came up with one of the best performances of the season when taking the Japan Cup (G1) back in December.
True, rainy days in Tokyo that week ensured he got some give in the ground, something he likes, but he probably would have won also on a firm course that day.
Jockey Christophe Soumillon was full of praise for his partner, after having won by four lengths from Just A Way, who was racing further than what is ideal for him. Spielberg, who was coming off a win over Gentildonna in the Tenno Sho Autumn (G1) four weeks earlier, took third place, again passing the winning post just in front of Gentildonna.
With another home-bred, the three-year-old filly Harp Star, in fifth, the 2014 Japan Cup was a great result for Japanese racing and breeding.
We need no reminding of how good the Japanese thoroughbreds are. Just A Way earned the highest rating in the official World Rankings last year, with Epiphaneia second best, and those who witnessed the Dubai World Cup (G1) in 2011 will perhaps recognise the name of Epiphaneia’s trainer. That’s right, Sumii is the man who saddled Victoire Pisa out for an upset win that year.
Victiore Pisa had also taken part in the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen, finishing third in the Cup and winning the Kinen — giving him a similar profile.
Epiphaneia has a top class pedigree. His sire, Symoli Kris S, a US-bred son of Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) winner Kris S, won both the Arima Kinen (G1) and Tenno Sho Autumn (G1) twice.
Epiphaneia’s dam, Cesario, made her mark on the international stage when winning the American Oaks (G1) at Hollywood Park in California almost ten years ago. Her sire was none other than Special Week, a Sunday Silence son who captured the Japanese Derby (G1) at three and completed the unique Tenno Sho Spring-Tenno Sho Autumn-Japan Cup (G1) treble at four.
— The author is the editor of globeform.co.uk, a Newmarket-based independent racing and handicapping publication
