Life's just grand for Winx rider Bowman as Cheval motors home

Report: Japan, Sunday

Tokyo: Japan Cup (Grade 1) 1m4f | turf | 3yo+

Hugh Bowman, enjoying the time of his life as the rider of star Australian mare Winx, captured another major prize at Tokyo on Sunday when Cheval Grand ran on strongly to win the 37th running of the £3.9 million Japan Cup.

Third in the race 12 months ago to Japanese Horse of the Year Kitasan Black, Cheval Grand emerged from the chasing pack under the Bowman drive to overhaul that rival, who lost second close home to Rey De Oro.

It was a first success in Japan's most prestigious race for trainer Yasuo Tomomichi, already a big winner on the world stage this year thanks to Vivlos's victory in the Dubai Turf in March, while both horses run in the colours of former Seattle Mariners pitcher Kazuhiro Sasaki.

It was also a landmark strike for Bowman, who last month captured a third Cox Plate on the queen of Australian racing Winx.

Bowman said: "He was very strong and aided by a good draw. My plan was to follow Kitasan Black into the straight, which I was able to do, and the horse did the rest."

Such modesty has been a feature of Bowman's rise to global stardom and more than one Japanese racing professional will have reason to hope his miracle year hasn't come to the end of its bounty.

The 37-year-old is due to partner the Japanese-trained pair Staphanos and Satono Aladdin at the Hong Kong International meeting on December 10, two days after being presented with a first Longines World's Best Jockey secured here in glorious style by Cheval Grand's success.

Hugh Bowman grabs the advantage as Cheval Grand wins the 2017 Japan Cup from Kitasan Black (eventually third) and Rey De OroCredit: Hideaki Mori

He said: "I worked Cheval Grand uphill on Wednesday but it wasn't fast so I didn't really get the feel. But the trainer told me he was stronger than last year and, having watched the film of the 2016 Japan Cup, I thought that would put him close. He deserved to win and I'm so happy."

Makahiki – last year's Japanese Derby hero also saddled by Tomomichi – was fourth, one place ahead of Hardwicke winner and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes third Idaho, representing Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore partners under Ryan Moore.

Kitasan Black, bidding to join Gentildonna as the only horse to win the Japan Cup twice, had also beaten Cheval Grand in the last two runnings of the Tenno Sho (Spring), reportedly lost a shoe.

A disappointed Yutaka Take said: "His condition was good and I thought I would try to lead if he started well. The first and second have run very strongly and it was a good race.

"I expected to open up a bigger lead, but I felt something was wrong. I thought he might have lost a shoe and when I checked the left front was gone, though I don't know at what point it was lost.

"It's very difficult to win every race and I'll try to win his last race in the Arima Kinen."

Japanese Derby winner Rey De Oro finished a neck in front of Kitasan Black and looks likely to reoppose in the seasonal finale on December 24.

"I would have preferred to have kept my spot behind Cheval Grand, but he's always a bit sluggish at the start, including when he won the Derby," said Christophe Lemaire, who won the Japan Cup on Vodka in 2009. "After that I had a good trip and he came there with a good run down the outside.

"He's still only three and lacks a bit of experience and perhaps toughness, but he has beaten Kitasan Black who is the benchmark. Rey De Oro was the last horse to pull up and hardly blew afterwards. The Arima Kinen will be pretty much the same horses, 2500 metres won’t be a problem and he has already won around Nakayama."

Japan Cup result