Moore claims Japan glory

http://www.racinguk.com/news/article/24041/moore-claims-japan-glory

Moore claims Japan glory

Sunday 24 November 2013

Gentildonna produced a gutsy performance for Ryan Moore to become the first dual winner of the Japan Cup at Tokyo racecourse.

Sei Ishizaka's charge won a rough renewal of the 12-furlong Grade One last year and the four-year-old again had to show plenty of determination to land the honours. Moore was riding the filly for the first time and had her well positioned on the inside throughout as Eishin Flash and the William Buick-ridden Tosen Jordan set the early fractions.

Moore began to make his move on the turn for home though, assuming control with over a furlong to run and appearing likely to score in style. However, Denim And Ruby was flying down the outside in the dying strides but just failed to catch Gentildonna at the line.

Tosen Jordan ran on again for Buick to claim third, while the Mikel Delzangles-trained Dunaden fared best of the European raiders in finishing fifth in the hands of Jamie Spencer. Ed Dunlop's Joshua Tree raced prominently in the early stages but faded out of it in the finish, and the Willie Mullins-trained Simenon was also down the field.