http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-24/gentildonna-wins-historic-second-japan-cup/5113524
Gentildonna wins historic second Japan Cup
Updated
A lot was on the line when Gentildonna went to post for the Japan Cup on Sunday, and she prevailed with an historic victory in front of her adoring fans.
The mare is the first dual winner of Japan's international showpiece and silences any critics she had following a winless year till now.
Gentildonna's regular partner Yasunari Iwata paid the price for her run of outs and was replaced for the Cup, making top English jockey Ryan Moore the man in the hot seat.
During the run Moore had the four-year-old ideally placed behind the leaders, who set only a moderate pace in the 481 million yen ($5.2 million) race.
The pair struck the front early in the straight and held off a desperate late challenge from $30 outsider Denim And Ruby in front of 97,000 people at Tokyo's Fuchu racecourse.
There was a nose in it at the finish, with another outsider Tosen Jordan a neck away in third.
Australian jockey Craig Williams was close-up in fourth aboard Admire Rakti.
Gentildonna, the $2.20 favourite, is the 19th Japanese-trained horse to win the race in its 33 runnings, and extends the winning streak for the locals to eight.
Moore denied feeling any pressure despite having his first ride on Gentildonna in the crucible of Fuchu.
"Maybe being from overseas I was unable to read the papers or know what people were saying about me," Moore said.
He said Gentildonna started to race keenly when the pace steadied soon after the start and was forced to hit the front before he had wanted.
"Luckily she has gears and works up to her top, and she was able to stay in front just long enough."
No retirement for Gentildonna
Winning trainer Sei Ishizaka says Gentildonna will race on next year but will now head for a spell.
"She has done a very good job and I will target her at some big races next year," he said.
Another tilt at the Dubai Sheema Classic, in which she finished second in March, was a strong possibility, Ishizaka said.
Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden finished the best of the overseas brigade in fifth.
However, his fellow European challengers, Simenon and Joshua Tree, finished 13th and last respectively.
The highly credentialed Gold Ship, who challenged Gentildonna for favouritism, settled back in the field but failed to show a turn of foot and finished 15th of the 17 runners.
More than 17.3 billion yen ($186.5 million) was wagered on the Cup, with a total of 24.9 billion yen turned over on the 11-race card.
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