Training Report of Foreign Entries
Japan Autumn International
The 38th Japan Cup (G1)

November 21, 2018 (Wednesday)

The following horses entered in the 38th Japan Cup were transported from the Horse Racing School quarantine facilities in Shiroi to the international stables at the Tokyo Racecourse.  Each departure and arrival time as well as comments taken from the connections upon arrival are as follows:

<At Tokyo Racecourse>

Capri (IRE, C4, Gray)

Departed quarantine stables at 11:30
Arrived at Tokyo Racecourse at 13:18

“He’s traveled great, he’s settled in great, he’s been eating and drinking well from day one, hasn’t lost much weight, his temperature is fine and we’re very happy with him.

“He had a sprain in his shoulder but he’s fine now. Tomorrow morning Ryan Moore will gallop him over seven furlongs on the turf.”

(comments taken from assistant trainer Patrick Keating)

Thundering Blue (USA, G5, Gray)

Departed quarantine stables at 11:30
Arrived at Tokyo Racecourse at 13:18

“The transportation from the quarantine center was good and comfortable.

“Although traveling to Japan takes much longer than going to Sweden or Canada, he handled the traveling great and it did take a day or two for him to get over jetlag, but now he’s gotten used to the new atmosphere and he’s looking nice and bright, and we’re happy with him.

“The training at Shiroi didn’t go exactly as we planned – we normally train on all-weather surfaces back home and not on sand, so the first couple of days, he didn’t know what to do with himself. We kept him fit by doing a couple of canters but didn’t do any fast work. Now we’re looking forward to training him here.

“First, I’d like to walk the turf track today and our plan is to take the horse on the turf tomorrow for just a canter, to get him used to his new surroundings, and then possibly take him out on Friday and let him stride.”

(comments taken from trainer David Menuisier)