Breakup finishes 8th in Caulfield Cup

Breakup had Japanese fans thinking what if but finished in eighth place at the Grade 1 Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup in Melbourne, Australia, on Saturday (October 21).

The 5-year-old, ridden by Damian Lane and trained by Tatsuya Yoshioka as the lone challenger from Japan, ended up out of the moneys in the 2,400-meter race at Caulfield Racecourse won in the last 50m by Without A Fight over West Wind Blows.

Jockey Mark Zahra won the race for his second time, his 27th G1 triumph. For father and son trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman, it was the biggest victory of their careers.

“What a moment. I’m so happy,” said Zahra, who will be aboard defending champion Gold Trip for the November 7 Melbourne Cup at Flemington.

“I don’t really celebrate much, but with the week I’ve had and the things that have gone on, I had to kick myself in the ribs – my wife probably did it for me midway through the week and said, ‘Let’s just focus on the ride we’ve got and it’s a good chance.’

“I had a beautiful run and he did the rest.”

In his debut start overseas among a field of 18 following the scratch of Nonconformist, Breakup got off to a terrific start to the A$5 million contest, traveling in sixth, seventh from the lead held by Spirit Ridge before the pack began bunching up turning for the home stretch.

But Breakup could not keep up as everyone switched gears, crossing the finish line 5.7 seconds off the winning time of 2 minutes, 26.45 seconds on a somewhat yielding (good 4) surface.

It was Breakup’s - by Novellist out of Little Jun - first competition since the G1 Takarazuka Kinen on June 25.

Yoshioka pinned the defeat to the summer break, and expects his horse to be in tip-top shape for the Melbourne Cup.

“He started well as he always does and the jockey had him right where he wanted,” Yoshioka said. “Looking back on the race he had good position. The turf worked in his favor and rounding for home, I thought he might win it. As it turned out, he was a little flat down the straight.

“But Breakup was a bit quiet by his usual standards as he warmed up. Lane thought it had something to do with the layoff. He gave everything he had today and should pick it up from here on. We will do what we can to make sure that he will be in the best condition possible for the Melbourne Cup.”

Lane echoed the trainer’s sentiments after Breakup shook off whatever rust he had on Saturday.

“He was in good form and handled the going well, too. He felt great going into the final turn but the others on the outside just had more kick.

“I’m certain he will be better for the Melbourne Cup.”

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