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Oju Chosan Swoops Past Favorite for Nakayama Grand Jump Victory

Second favorite Oju Chosan claimed his first graded victory in the Nakayama Grand Jump this year. Racing twice on the flat immediately after his debut where his best finish was an eighth, he was switched to jumping and claimed his first steeplechase win in his fourth outing after transferring to his present stables from his second race as a jumper. The Stay Gold horse finished sixth in his first attempt at the highest level in last year’s Nakayama Daishogai and kicked off the present season with a runner-up effort in an open class steeplechase race.

Trainer Shoichiro Wada has now earned his first grade-race title since opening his yard in 2009 and for jockey Shinichi Ishigami, who debuted in 2001, this is his second grade-race and first G1 victory since claiming the Niigata Jump Stakes (J-G3) with Assatis Boy in 2013.

The longest race in the country got underway with Sanacion taking the front by the first obstacle, Bright Boy just off the pace in second and Wonderful World in third. Oju Chosan took over Wonderful World as the jumpers headed for the first dip and the race progressed at an unhurried pace set by the race favorite with the top three leaders struggling to maintain the same order.

After Wanted unseated his rider who lost his balance after clearing the fifth obstacle (no.6), the front runners of the remaining nine-jumper field saw Bright Boy still chasing the leading race favorite one to two lengths, and Oju Chosan trailing another five to six lengths behind. Steadily gaining in down the backstretch, Oju Chosan clearly kicked into gear after clearing the 11th, second from last, obstacle three lengths behind, and easily took over Bright Boy before the final turn, putting pressure on the leader from the outside. Sanacion, still in front at the last jump persistently held on to the lead climbing the stretch however, finally ran out of steam surrendering the victory to the strong closing Oju Chosan in the last half-furlong who cleared the wire 3-1/2 lengths in front.

“He raced just as I imagined he would. I kept comparing my horse’s response with Sanacion during the race. I knew we had a good chance to overtake the leader from the backstretch with his sharp turn of foot. He was in the best condition I’ve ever seen him in so I was determined to make the most of it,” commented jockey Shinichi Ishigami.

Trainer Shoichiro Wada added, “His jumps were steady and he was positioned comfortably today—it made a big difference. He has matured considerably and his tune-up had gone as planned, and I’m thankful for the jockey who rode him so well. He’s definitely suited to the Nakayama course and we will aim for the year-end Nakayama Daishogai.”

Coming off a fourth in the Pegasus Jump Stakes and sent off seventh favorite, Meisho Arawashi reserved his stamina after racing in sixth or seventh up to the last jump and took an inner path to pick off the tiring front runners holding off the fast closing Biko Pililani and Wonderful World for third.

Other Horses:
4th: (9) Biko Pililani—raced in 4-5th, sustained bid, quickened after last jump (no.10), but 1/2-length short for 3rd
5th: (5) Wonderful World—sat in 6-7th, made headway after 9th jump (no.3), advanced to 3rd after last jump (no.10), but weakened in last 100m
6th: (10) Dantsu Megahit—traveled in 2nd from rear, improved position at stretch
7th: (4) Meiner Fiesta—trailed in rear, passed tired rivals after final turn
8th: (8) Tyrian Purple—broke poorly, advanced to 4-5th, dropped back after 10th jump (no.8)
9th: (6) Bright Boy—chased favorite in 2nd, maintained bid until last jump (no.10), came up empty
Fail to Finish: (1) Wanted—settled toward rear, unseated rider at 5th jump (no.6)

THE 18TH NAKAYAMA GRAND JUMP (J-G1)
4-year-old & up, 4,250 meters (about 2 and 2/3 miles), turf
Saturday, April 16, 2016   Nakayama Racecourse   11th Race   Post time: 15:40
Total prize money: ¥ 142,660,000 (about US$ 1,188,000 <US$1=¥120>)
4-y-o: 62kg (about 137 lbs), 5-y-o & up: 63kg (about 139 lbs), 2kg allowance for Fillies & Mares
Safety factor: 16 runners

1. Oju Chosan (JPN), bay, horse, 5-year-old
   Stay Gold / Shadow Silhouette (Symboli Kris S)

   Owner: Chosan Co., Ltd.	Breeder: Naoyoshi Nagayama
   Trainer: Shoichiro Wada	Jockey: Shinichi Ishigami
   14 Starts, 4 Wins (12 Starts, 4 Wins *steeplechases only)
   Added money: ¥ 66,350,000	Career earnings: ¥ 113,650,000 (¥ 113,650,000 *steeplechases only)

   
   
2. Sanacion (JPN), bay, horse, 7-year-old
   Symboli Kris S / Jadeite (Sunday Silence)

   Owner: Sunday Racing Co., Ltd.	Breeder: Northern Farm
   Trainer: Mikio Matsunaga	Jockey: Makoto Nishitani

   
   
3. Meisho Arawashi (JPN), chestnut, horse, 5-year-old
   Storming Home / Meisho Ageha (Creator)

   Owner: Yoshio Matsumoto	Breeder: Yoshio Matsumoto
   Trainer: Akio Adachi	Jockey: Kazuma Mori

* Nakayama Grand Jump (J-G1)
The Nakayama Grand Jump, the biggest steeplechase event in spring, span off from the biannual Nakayama Daishogai (J-G1, 4,100m) steeplechase races in 1999. The history of the Nakayama Daishogai dates back to 1934 when the two races, one each in spring and autumn, were created for the purpose of making them the most prestigious and attractive races in steeplechase racing, just like the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) in flat racing.
In 2000, one year after the Nakayama Grand Jump received its current name, the race also became an international event. In the same year, seven foreign runners from five countries took part. Boca Boca (IRE, by Mandalus) from France finished second to Gokai (JPN, by Judge Angelucci). Between 2000 and 2010 when the Nakayama Grand Jump was an invitational event, St. Steven (NZ, by Hula Town) became the first foreign contingent to claim the title in 2002. He finished third in the following year while Australian contender Karasi (IRE, by Kahyasi) became the only horse to win three consecutive titles in 2005, 2006 and 2007. In 2013, eighth favorite Irish raider Blackstairmountain (IRE, by Imperial Ballet) became the first European contender to claim the title. Although Australian trainer Eric Musgrove for legendary Karasi had entered Thubiaan (USA, by Dynaformer) and Urban Explorer (NZ, by Zabeel) earlier while Irish trainer William Mullins, who trained Blackstairmountain, also had Arctic Fire (GER, by Soldier Hollow), Dicosimo (FR, by Laveron) and Felix Yonger (IRE, by Oscar) entered, both declined later on and the race was uncontested by runners from abroad again this year.
The Nakayama Grand Jump features 12 jumps over the figure-of-eight-shaped course, which includes five up-and-downs over the banks and three hurdles set on the outside turf towards the final stretch. The 310-meter uphill stretch before the wire also is quite a test for many of the runners especially after running at a solid pace throughout the race.
Up to Date (JPN, by Kurofune), who set the 4:46.6 race record last year, went on to capture the year-end Nakayama Daishogai and was chosen Best Steeplechase Horse of 2015. However due to a popped splint in his left foreleg after a runner-up effort in his first seasonal start, the Hanshin Spring Jump (J-G2, 3,900m) on March 12, the defending champion was forced to sit out his back-to-back title challenge to seek full recovery towards an autumn comeback.
This year’s line-up featured Nakayama Daishogai’s third-place finisher Sanacion who had come off a five-length victory in the Hanshin Spring Jump where last August’s Niigata Jump Stakes (J-G3, 3,250m) winner Tyrian Purple was 11th and Meiner Fiesta was a 2.9 seconds fifth. Hanshin Spring Jump finishers from second to fourth place were absent in this year’s version.
Coming off another lead up race, the Pegasus Jump Stakes (3,350m) on March 26, were; winner Wonderful World, runner-up by 1-3/4 lengths Bright Boy, tenth-place Wanted who secured third in a couple of J-G3 runs last season. Oju Chosan was entered in hopes of bettering his sixth-place finish in last year’s Nakayama Daishogai.