Just A Way
An improving runner last year, the Japanese challenger Just A Way was most impressive when gaining an easy win in the Tenno Sho Autumn over 2,000 metres in Tokyo in October. Son of the 2006 Sheema Classic winner Heart’s Cry, Just A Way ran by far his best race that day. He captured the race by four lengths, with none other than the famous mare Gentildonna in second. The latter had beaten Just A Way by half a length when they filled the first two places over 1,800 metres at the same venue three weeks earlier.
His impressive display in the Tenno Sho meant that he went high on the list of many experts looking ahead to the Japan Cup, the nation’s most important race, but his trainer decided to bypass that event — probably because 2,400 metres might be stretching Just A Way’s stamina a little bit too far. The Japan Cup was an enjoyable race to watch for his fans nevertheless, as Gentildonna won it for a second time, giving Just A Way’s form a boost. He gained an easy win in his prep race in Japan four weeks ago, and he looks the one to beat in the Duty Free.
The Fugue
Like the 2010 winner of the Sheema, Dar Re Mi, the fantastic mare The Fugue is owned by Lady and Lord Lloyd Webber. She became a top-class performer in Europe last year when outclassing her rivals in the Yorkshire Oaks in England and beating the boys just as easily in the Irish Champion Stakes, when she blew past the favourite Al Kazeem, who had won three Group Ones earlier in the season.
After a small break, The Fugue was sent to California in November, to contest the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita. She could have gone for an easier option, against the girls in the Filly and Mare Turf, but she ran against male rivals once more. Only one of them proved too good, the Irish Sheema Classic contender Magician, who quickened past her in the closing stages. It was another fine run by The Fugue, and much better than what she could manage on her last start in 2013, when second to Dominant in the Hong Kong Vase in December.
The Fugue has won five of her 14 races to date and she has finished second or third seven times. If she takes her A-game to Meydan, she might not be easy to beat.
Vercingetorix
Trainer Mike de Kock would have been delighted by the way this horse started his season here last month. Vercingetorix (pictured) came out at a handicap, conceding weight to all but four of his 13 rivals.
He was visually quite impressive, beating Code Of Honour by half a length. He quickened up well in the straight to gain a clear lead and kept on when challenged in the closing stages. Vercingetorix’s handicap mark was 109, and he improved again when landing the Jebel Hatta, one of two Group 1 races on Super Saturday. Taking that event without much fuss, despite having been a bit restless in the stalls, made him one of the favourites for the Duty Free.
Vercingetorix is versatile, having won over 1,400, 1,600 and 2,000 metres last year, when successful over the longer distance in the Daily News 2000 (G1) at Greyville. Racing prominently throughout, Vercingetorix won an exciting photo finish against No Worries and Capetown Noir. That form was underlined in this year’s Queen’s Plate (G1) at Kenilworth, a race won by Capetown Noir, with No Worries in fourth place.
