Ryo Takei

Japan continued its dominance of lucrative Middle Eastern races with a one-length score by Strauss in the inaugural $1-million Listed Abu Dhabi Gold Cup over a mile on Saturday. Brazilian Joao "Magic Man" Moreira gave the son of Maurice a textbook perfect ride, and the five-year-old entire responded, becoming the first Japanese horse to win in Abu Dhabi. Nestled in midfield just off the pace set by Crown Board (Lope De Vega), the Carrot Farm runner bided his time through the early stages. Still trapped behind a wall of horses...

The blaze-faced Strauss (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) attained his first stakes victory under Joao Moreira in the G2 Tokyo Hai Nisai S. at Tokyo on Saturday. A winner on debut over 1600 metres locally in June and a solid third in the G3 Saudi Arabia Royal Cup on Oct. 7, he was sent off at 4-1 in this return to group company. Content to track Teleos Lulu (Jpn) (Al Ain {Jpn}) from a wide third down the backstretch, he was eager to improve his position through the first half-mile in :47.30....