The finale to the Japanese racing year is set to take place at Nakayama on December 27, with the 60th running of the G1 Arima Kinen, which has attracted its usual high-quality field.
The finale to the Japanese racing year is set to take place at Nakayama on December 27, with the 60th running of the G1 Arima Kinen, which has attracted its usual high-quality field.
Taking pride of place in this thoroughbred 'Grand Prix,' over 2,500m, is the enigmatic Gold Ship, who will be having the final start of his career. Connections have announced he is to be retired immediately after the race.
The six-year-old will be running in the G1 Arima Kinen for the fourth consecutive year. The grey son of Stay Gold won it in 2012, and then finished third in both 2013 and 2014.
At his best, Gold Ship can be quite spectacular, often coming with a late flourish from well back in the field. But there are also days when he just doesn't 'fire'.
He boasts a fine career record, with six Grade 1 victories, including the G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) last May. But he was also well beaten in his two most recent outings, though not too far away (3 lengths) when 10th to Shonan Pandora in last month's G1 Japan Cup in Tokyo.
He comes into this Arima Kinen carrying the hopes of his trainer Naosuke Sugai, who has recalled jockey Hiroyuki Uchida, Gold Ship's former regular partner, who was aboard for his 2012 triumph. Possibly, Uchida can turn the clock back for the dashing grey.
But this looks an even, highly-competitive field. Shonan Pandora, the Japan Cup-winning daughter of Deep Impact, can enter Horse Of The Year contention if she lands the prize, while five-year-old Lovely Day, third home in the Japan Cup, was reportedly jaded immediately after that race at Fuchu but is expected to bounce back.
Last Impact, who split the pair in the Japan Cup, is another contender, but this time will be without the assistance of Ryan Moore, who is currently under suspension.
Others worthy of a mention are Kitasan Black, the G1 Japanese St Leger winner, and Albert, the capable winner of the G2 Stayers Stakes, over 3,600m.
