Invitations
July 24th 2008 09:07
Japan has nominated a list of international races which will provide automatic entry for the winner (in some instances also the runner-up) which will include financial incentives should the horse then win the Japan Cup.
Unfortunately the Melbourne Cup is not included in this list of premier races, which puts into question the universal status of the race which has the second largest prizemoney for any race on turf (only second to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe - which is on the list). The Melbourne Cup has the richest prize for any handicap race in the world.
(photo: coolmore.com)
The races that have been identified as providing automatic entry are (in date order):
The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2400m (July 26th at Ascot): automatic invitation for first and second-placed horses with financial bonuses of $US 1,238,000 for first placed in the King George and $US 480,000 for second placed in King George if either win the Japan Cup.
Irish Champion Stakes 2000m (September 6th at Leopardstown): automatic invitation to the winner with a bonus of $950,000 if invited horse wins Japan Cup.
Grosser Preis von Baden 2400m (September 7th at Baden Baden): automatic invitation to the winner with a bonus of $950,000 if invited horse wins Japan Cup.
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 2400m (October 5th at Longchamp): automatic invitation for first and second-placed horses with financial bonuses of $US1 ,238,000 for first placed in the Arc and $US 480,000 for second placed in the Arc if either win the Japan Cup.
First place prize for the Japan Cup is $US2,380,000 and with the bonuses available it makes it a very attractive proposition for winners (and some of the runners-up) in these events.
Also the automatic entry allows the stables of these high profile horses to plan in advance and not be subject to the whim of the JRA Selection Committee (but really I would doubt if a winner of any of these races would not be completely confident of making the field. How could you not include an Arc or King George winner!).
Maybe they could have included the Melbourne Cup as an additional race of qualification. Perhaps it is the distance of 3200m which puts it out of kilter with their prerequisites? Perhaps it is the late date of the Melbourne Cup? Or it could be the handicap status of the Melbourne Cup which devalues it in world terms?
But it would be nice to receive a 'wildcard' inclusion for the winner of the Melbourne Cup.
The first of these automatic invitation races is on Saturday.
Latest prices from Stan James on the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Ascot 26/7:
Duke Of Marmalade 11/10 (from 6/4), Youmzain 4/1 (from 5s), New Approach 5/1 (from 9/2), Soldier Of Fortune 6/1 (from 4s), Tartan Bearer 8/1, Frozen Fire 8/1, Macarthur 10/1, Ask 12/1, Papal Bull 12/1.
Unfortunately the Melbourne Cup is not included in this list of premier races, which puts into question the universal status of the race which has the second largest prizemoney for any race on turf (only second to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe - which is on the list). The Melbourne Cup has the richest prize for any handicap race in the world.
Duke Of Marmalade: Japan Cup bound?
(photo: coolmore.com)
The races that have been identified as providing automatic entry are (in date order):
The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2400m (July 26th at Ascot): automatic invitation for first and second-placed horses with financial bonuses of $US 1,238,000 for first placed in the King George and $US 480,000 for second placed in King George if either win the Japan Cup.
Irish Champion Stakes 2000m (September 6th at Leopardstown): automatic invitation to the winner with a bonus of $950,000 if invited horse wins Japan Cup.
Grosser Preis von Baden 2400m (September 7th at Baden Baden): automatic invitation to the winner with a bonus of $950,000 if invited horse wins Japan Cup.
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 2400m (October 5th at Longchamp): automatic invitation for first and second-placed horses with financial bonuses of $US1 ,238,000 for first placed in the Arc and $US 480,000 for second placed in the Arc if either win the Japan Cup.
First place prize for the Japan Cup is $US2,380,000 and with the bonuses available it makes it a very attractive proposition for winners (and some of the runners-up) in these events.
Also the automatic entry allows the stables of these high profile horses to plan in advance and not be subject to the whim of the JRA Selection Committee (but really I would doubt if a winner of any of these races would not be completely confident of making the field. How could you not include an Arc or King George winner!).
Maybe they could have included the Melbourne Cup as an additional race of qualification. Perhaps it is the distance of 3200m which puts it out of kilter with their prerequisites? Perhaps it is the late date of the Melbourne Cup? Or it could be the handicap status of the Melbourne Cup which devalues it in world terms?
But it would be nice to receive a 'wildcard' inclusion for the winner of the Melbourne Cup.
The first of these automatic invitation races is on Saturday.
Latest prices from Stan James on the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Ascot 26/7:
Duke Of Marmalade 11/10 (from 6/4), Youmzain 4/1 (from 5s), New Approach 5/1 (from 9/2), Soldier Of Fortune 6/1 (from 4s), Tartan Bearer 8/1, Frozen Fire 8/1, Macarthur 10/1, Ask 12/1, Papal Bull 12/1.
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