'It would be unbelievable' - Auguste Rodin primed for date with destiny as Derby hero bows out in Japan Cup

Immortal status awaits Auguste Rodin if he can conquer the Japan Cup at Tokyo on Sunday, when he bids to become the first winning visitor in 19 years.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien has fielded six runners, finishing no better than fourth, in the contest which was judged to be the world's best last year on rankings.

However, the 2023 Derby hero is the strongest representative ever sent by Ballydoyle. He lines up for his final start and, as a gauge of the expectations, O'Brien has made his first visit to Japan, with leading Coolmore figures also set to appear.

O'Brien called Tokyo a "mega" racecourse in the build up to Sunday and feels the combination of a fast-run mile and a half on quick ground will suit the four-year-old, whose sire Deep Impact is a local legend and the 2006 Japan Cup winner. 

That family connection means there is a sense of homecoming among the 80,000 heading to Tokyo, who have watched his English and Irish Derby double and Breeders' Cup Turf success with great pride. On Sunday there will be a retirement ceremony for Auguste Rodin when he becomes the first foreign-trained horse to be commemorated by the Japanese Racing Association.

Auguste Rodin: bidding to become the first overseas winner of the Japan Cup since 2005

A win in the Japan Cup would be a crowning moment for Auguste Rodin and a huge boost for connections after ambitious attempts to win some of the world's best races have not worked out in recent weeks, notably with City Of Troy in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Victory would be worth $6.5 million after Auguste Rodin won the Prince of Wales's Stakes, a bonus qualifier race.

"It would be unbelievable," O'Brien said. "It's a very competitive race and a tough one. We've tried to compete in the best races [around the world] but you can't expect them all to win. We felt coming here with this horse this year we had a proper genuine chance that it could happen.

"I think the track will suit him well and the mile and a half here especially. We altered his training after the Irish Champion Stakes to give him a good long run into this race and everything's gone smoothly so far. He went a mile on Friday, just steady along, and we were happy with him.

"We always dreamed he'd finish his career in this race and Auguste Rodin is the best horse we've sent out for it."

What is a retirement ceremony?

Japan's greatest horses are given a special send-off in a tradition dating back to 1983. A retirement ceremony, which takes place on the racecourse, involves the horse parading in front of the grandstand, connections being given flowers and speaking in front of the crowd. Auguste Rodin's ceremony will take place at 5.30pm (8.30am GMT) and will be available to watch online.

King George hero Goliath primed 

French raider Goliath has been the big talking horse in Tokyo this week, although the vast majority of chatter has come from his vociferous owner John Stewart, who is expecting a repeat of his stunning King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes win.

The four-year-old burst clear at Ascot under a supremely confident Christophe Soumillon, beating Bluestocking and Rebel's Romance with ease, and that form is tremendously strong with the placed horses going on to win the Arc and Breeders' Cup Turf. 

Goliath: King George winner has had a smooth preparation for the Japan Cup

Francis Graffard has trained him for this since and Goliath's preparation has gone smoothly, even if his rather strange walk has puzzled the locals in trackwork.

"He had a good prep race in a Group 2," Graffard said. "He's very well and the distance, track and going left-handed will suit him. It's a big challenge but we're keen to take it.

"The horse has travelled really well and we're happy with his condition. He hasn't lost any weight and we've had a pipe-opener in the build up. He's 150 per cent fit for it."

Cervinia heads Japan's challenge

Germany's Fantastic Moon completes the three-strong European challenge. The Sarah Steinberg-trained four-year-old disappointed on testing ground in the Arc and an improved performance is expected of the Grosser Preis von Baden winner.

Three-year-old filly Cervinia heads the home challenge, having won the Japanese Oaks in impressive style before scoring in good fashion in the Shuka Sho at Kyoto.

Do Deuce is another leading candidate. He went on to win the Arima Kinen and Tenno Sho (Autumn) after his fourth-placed finish behind Equinox last year, while Shin Emperor is well known to a European audience after his third in the Irish Champion Stakes behind Economics.

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