TOKYO FALLS TO OISIN AND SUAVE RICHARD

Helen Edwards reports from Tokyo on Japan Cup Day

On a day when pomp and pageantry celebrates side by side with top class competetive racing, Oisin Murphy rode Japanese trained third favourite Suave Richard to a rail-hugging victory in the 39th Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse. Trainer Yasushi Shono and 5-year-old entire Suave Richard were notching up a career second G1 win, while for British Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy this marked a first G1 success in Japan on his second stint riding there with a short-term JRA licence.

The 2,400 metre Japan Cup is the extravagant finale of an 11 race card on the last Sunday in November. Raceday anticipation grows from the moment the gates open around 8am to admit the stampede of queueing race fans rushing for a favoured position.