Japan To The Fore Down Under

With a winner and a runner-up at the Group 1 level for its first-up competitors at Rosehill last weekend, the Japanese have staked daunting claims to the rich spoils set to be offered at Sydney’s The Championships Apr. 4 and 11, and the nation rolls out what could be the strongest of its invaders in To The World (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) in Saturday’s A$1.5 million G1 The BMW. To The World flashed promise when runner-up in last year’s G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), and he solidified himself as one of the top horses in the country with a runner-up finish to Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) when stepping up to 12 1/2 furlongs for the G1 Arima Kinen when last seen Dec. 28. 

The BMW has been a rich hunting ground for G1 Melbourne Cup winners in recent years, with the likes of Makybe Diva (GB) (Desert King {Ire}) and Might and Power (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) having proven victorious, and thus it is no surprise to see last year’s G1 Melbourne Cup hero Protectionist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) prominent in the betting. The 5-year-old has failed to shine in two outings thus far this year, including a last-out eighth in the G1 Australian Cup over 2000 meters two weeks ago, but he will appreciate the added distance. Godolphin import Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) has made a big impression in his first two Australian outings this campaign–a runner-up finish to stablemate Contributer (Ire)(High Chaparral {Ire}) in the G1 Chipping Norton S. and a victory in the G3 Sky High S. over this track and trip two weeks ago–and he seeks his first score at the highest level.