27.11.2011 Tokyo ( JPN ) 10.Race Japan Cup 2011 Group I 2.400 m WINNER: Buena Vista

[konannnnn0706]

Buena Vista is the best. japanese "zarkava".

[GBeret83]

This was the 3rd year in a row that the Euro's sent over some pretty decent horses, and the 3rd straight year the Japanese horses basically dominated them again. Conduit managed to finish 4th in 2009. Last year, Cirrus Des Aigles finished 9th, Joshua Tree 10th, and Dandino 11th. Now this year, the Arc winner, Danedream, finishes 6th. Arc runner-up, Shareta finishes 7th, and Canadian International winner, Sarah Lynx finishes 12th. Not the kind of finishes you'd expect from horses of this caliber.

[flyrobertfly45]

@GBeret83 True. But the Euros Singspiel, Alkaased, Falbrav, Pilsudski,Lando all won the Japan Cup, and Fantastic Light,High Rise,Helissio,Hernando all hit the board in the top 3. It is very difficult for the Euros to run in the Arc and/or Breeders' Cup Turf at the end of a long, hard campaign and travel halfway across the world at the end of November at the end of their long campaigns and run on the rock hard,very firm Japanese turf courses, and yet they still have had a lot of success anyways.

[GBeret83]

With the disgraceful D.Q. that Buena Vista suffered in this race a year ago, there couldn't have been a more deserving winner of the G1 Japan Cup this year than her, IMO. Once again she proves that at her best, she's still one of the best middle distance turf horses in racing. Next month's G1 Arima Kinen will be the final race of Buena Vista's career. It should be a great race, as it will be the one and only time she'll get to face the Japanese Triple Crown winner from this year, Orfevre!!

[DarkCaviar]

@GBeret83

Buena Vista always had that aura of in her every time she races. She just finally proved it by winning one of the biggest races in the world.

The Arima Kinen will be her last race in Japan but maybe not her career. They are thinking of racing her overseas before retirement, if she is still at her peak. I think the Dubai World Cup at the end of March 2012 is the most likely path. Not sure about the big European and US races between July - October 2012.

[GBeret83]

@DarkCaviar, I had heard the Arima Kinen on Christmas day in Japan was supposed to be the final race of her career? She's supposed to face Orfevre, the Japanese Triple Crown winner from this year in the Arima Kinen. But I hope you're right. I've said all along that I hope Buena Vista goes back to Dubai one more time. But in all candor, I'd rather see her take another shot at winning the Sheema Classic than the DWC. If not for a career best by Dar Re Mi in 2010, she would've won that race, IMO.

[DarkCaviar]

@GBeret83

When I said The Dubai World Cup I was referring to the programme. So it might as well be The Sheema Classic again.

The trainer had indicated that it is up to the owners if they want to race into the next Spring. I don't see why not. She is only 5 yo and it is possible she could get better as proven in the Japan Cup after the Tenno Sho. She is not as valuable as a stallion could be going to studs.