Galileo's Japan Dominates the G2 King Edward VII

They call the G2 King Edward VII S. the “Ascot Derby” and that rang true more than ever on Friday as Ballydoyle's Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) took his rivals apart with a rare flourish. For a long time the ante-post favourite for the G1 Epsom Derby, the 1.3million gns Tattersalls October Book 1 graduate met with a costly setback which might have been the reason he only ended up third in the June 1 blue riband. Eye-catching there, last year's G2 Beresford S. winner arrived at the Royal meeting with a substantial home reputation to uphold and was confidently held up early with only Bangkok (Ire) (Australia {GB}) behind. Taken four-wide before the home turn, the 6-4 favourite was prompted by Ryan Moore to surge to the front passing the two-furlong pole and on to a highly impressive 4 1/2-length success from that rival. Part-owner Derrick Smith was frank in his post-race appraisal as he weighed up the might of the stable's middle-distance colts. “I think he's probably the best of them,” he stated. “This wasn't a surprise. The only surprise was his [starting] price.”

Japan began, like many other from the operation, with a seventh under gentle tutoring in a mile maiden at The Curragh at the start of September before heading to Listowel to open his account over seven furlongs on testing ground 11 days later. From there, he upstaged his favoured stablemate Mount Everest (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the Beresford at Naas which was his third outing in the month. Fourth on his comeback after the spring hold-up in a hot renewal of the G2 Dante S. over an extended 10 furlongs at York May 16, he moved forward possibly more than connections expected when just a half length away from Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the Derby.

For a period from the six-furlong marker to the four in this contest, Japan looked as if he could be about to deflate expectations such was his disadvantageous wide trip and even turning for home he looked briefly as if he could be in trouble. In the event, he was in the right place out deep as the strong pace set by the stable's Jack Yeats (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) collapsed and there was some scrimmaging to his right. As Bangkok dived up the inner under Silvestre de Sousa, Japan quickly took his measure and had the result settled very quickly. “This is a high-class horse,” Moore said. “They went a good pace and he put it to bed very easily. We think a lot of him and hopefully he will continue in this way now.”

Aidan O'Brien, who was recording his 70th winner at the Royal meeting, said, “We think the Derby was a serious race. You could see what happened earlier in the week when Circus Maximus won the St James's Palace. He's been coming forward lovely all the time. He had a lovely run in the Dante and in the Derby and has a lot of options. He could go to France for the [July 14 G1] Grand Prix de Paris [at ParisLongchamp] or come back here for the [July 217 G1] King George. He's a horse to look forward to.”

Andrew Balding was pleased that Bangkok, who was another to fill the runner's-up spot for King Power, had put a poor Derby run behind him. “He had no excuses, we were beaten by a very good horse,” he said. “It was just a relief to see him perform better. We have got lots of options for him. He always looked like a very talented horse. There was no explanation for the Derby run, perhaps it was just the track. He was beaten by a very good horse, but he finished a lot closer to that one than he did at Epsom. We will look at all options and he could be a horse to look at the American turf races with. You never know if they will handle the travelling until you try it and see.”

Like his high-class full-sister Secret Gesture (GB), Japan has missed out on Classic glory but whereas she had a fair crack at both the 2013 G1 Epsom Oaks and G1 Preis Der Diana only to find one too good in each, the latest sensation out of Shastye (Ire) (Danehill) is probably unfortunate that his setback knocked him off track. Had he turned up at Epsom in this form, the result could easily have been different. Secret Gesture, who was also disqualified from first place in the 2015 GI Beverly D. S. and captured the G2 Middleton S., is also a full-sibling of this stable's talented Sir Isaac Newton (GB) who cost 3.6 million gns at Tattersalls October and won the Listed Wolferton S. at this meeting three years ago. He went on to be fourth in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. and G1 Juddmonte International.

Shastye is a half-sister to the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Sagamix (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}) and the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud-winning sire Sagacity (Fr) (Highest Honor {Fr}) and to the dams of the G1 Prix d'Ispahan winner Sageburg (Ire) (Johannesburg) and G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Sagawara (GB) (Shamardal). Shastye's 2-year-old full-brother to Japan named Mogul (GB) was another spectacular 3.4million gns purchase by Coolmore at the most recent Tattersalls October Book 1 Sale, while she also has a filly foal by the supersire.

Friday, Royal Ascot, Britain
KING EDWARD VII S.-G2, £225,000, Royal Ascot, 6-21, 3yo, c/g, 11f 211yT, 2:29.16, g/s.
1–JAPAN (GB), 126, c, 3, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Shastye (Ire) (SP-Eng), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Saganeca, by Sagace (Fr)
3rd Dam: Haglette, by Hagley
(1,300,000gns Ylg '17 TAOCT). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Newsells Park Stud (GB); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £127,598. Lifetime Record: GSW-Ire & G1SP-Eng, 6-3-0-1, $481,362. *Full to Secret Gesture (GB), GSW & MG1SP-Eng, G1SP-Fr & Ger, GISP-US, $746,427; and 1/2 to Sir Isaac Newton (GB), GSW-Ire, SW-Eng & GSP-Aus, $403,231; and Maurus (GB) (Medicean {GB}), SW & MGSP-Aus, $403,286. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Bangkok (Ire), 126, c, 3, Australia (GB)–Tanaghum (GB), by Darshaan (GB). (500,000gns Ylg '17 TATOCT). O-King Power Racing Co Ltd; B-Barronstown Stud (IRE); T-Andrew Balding. £48,375.
3–Eagles By Day (Ire), 126, c, 3, Sea the Stars (Ire)–Missunited (Ire), by Golan (Ire). (125,000gns Wlg '16 TATFOA). O-Clipper Logistics; B-Mrs Vanessa Hutch (IRE); T-Michael Bell. £24,210.
Margins: 4HF, NK, 2HF. Odds: 1.50, 10.00, 25.00.
Also Ran: Private Secretary (GB), Pablo Escobarr (Ire), Pondus (GB), Humanitarian, Jack Yeats (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.