Japanese mare looks the one to watch in $5m Dubai Duty Free

London: The Japanese-trained mare Vodka must have been the most unlucky loser on Super Thursday, when she passed the post in fifth behind Balius in the Jebel Hatta (G2), a crucial prep for the Dubai Duty Free (G1) on World Cup night.

Full of running all the way up the straight, Vodka was boxed in for most of the way and could never deliver her challenge.

True, she did get a gap eventually, but she takes a bit of time to get into full flight and when the opportunity finally presented itself, it was way too late.

She was beaten two lengths behind Balius, while giving the winner one pound. That she will beat him on the big day seems a fair bet. Vodka is capable of beating them all, provided, of course, that she used up her quota of bad luck here.

A middle to high draw would probably be best for this tall, long-striding daughter of Tanino Gimlet, who is one of the best turf runners in Japan.

Vodka has been successful at G1 level over eight, ten and twelve furlongs in her homeland. She has finished in the first three in 13 of her 19 starts, and can safely be described as a very game and consistent performer.

She was fourth to Jay Peg in the Duty Free last year, and the Katsuhiko Sumii trainee was particularly impressive when slamming Armada (a top miler from Hong Kong) in the valuable Yasuda Kinen (G1) over a mile at Tokyo Racecourse last June. She also beat the four-time G1 winner Daiwa Scarlet by a nose in the Tenno Sho Autumn (G1) over 10 furlongs at the same venue in November.

What makes her so unusual is her versatility. She combines speed and stamina, and judged on her run in the Japan Cup would not be out of place in the Sheema Classic (G1).

Geir Stabell is the Editor of www.globeform.com