View Full Version : Nakayama Grand Jump 2005
From: Puntermatt (Original Message) Sent: 29/01/2005 12:37 PM
Suntop Lodge is having some trouble posting to the Forum and has asked if I could post this great news:
Two Horses to Represent Australia in Japan
The Japan Racing Association today announced that two horses would represent Australia in the forthcoming feature races in Japan.
The absence of an American nomination enabled the JRA to choose two Australian horses. Dominant Hiskens Steeple winner, Topzoff and the third placed Karasi were chosen from six nominations to run in the AUD$550,000 Pegasus Jump on March 26 and the AUD$2.4m Nakayama Grand Jump on April 16.
The Kevin Myers' trained Fontera was selected to represent New Zealand. The English, Irish and French horses will be named in mid-February.
-John Adams
Secretary AJRA - Bulletin
Wednesday, 9 March 2005:
Top jumps trainer Eric Musgrove who will have his first overseas runner when Karasi contests the Pegasus Jump in Japan this month is looking at the feasibility of campaigning some of his jumpers in the US later this year.
Musgrove said with the local season being run for eight months from February to October he could catch the tail end of the jumps circuit in the US which runs from February through to December.
"I'm looking at it towards the end of the season as there are a couple of nice races over there and a couple of my horses, including Karasi, might be competitive," he said.
The Robert Smerdon-trained Zabenz, winner of the 2002 Grand National Hurdle, campaigned successfully in America, winning the Grade One Turf Writers Cup Hurdle at Saratoga.
New Zealander Rand, who won the 2001 Pegasus Jump before falling in the world's richest steeplechase, the Nakayama Jump, later raced in the US where he was placed in the Royal `Chase at Keeneland before winning the Iroquois in Nashville, Tennessee.
Musgrove said the Iroquois was one of the races he was looking at.
Musgrove has a squad of six horses preparing for Oakbank at Easter including Super Cobra who scored a surprise win in Wednesday's Roisel Highweight (3000m) at Sandown.
Musgrove said Super Cobra would contest the Winterset Hurdle (3000m) at Sandown next Wednesday before heading to Oakbank for $155,000 Grand Eastern Steeple (4950m) on March 28.
On Wednesday Roisel Highweight was run as a replacement race for the Roisel Steeple which could not be held as the Mark III Modula Jumps were not ready to be used due to delays in the manufacturing process.
Racing Victoria Ltd said the new fences were safer for the horses and better designed than the old ones.
Musgrove had three runners in the seven-horse field including the odds-on favourite Chakra, who weakened to finish fourth after leading, and topweight Awesome Weather who finished last.
Ridden by leading cross-country jockey Brett Scott, Super Cobra (16-1) came with a late run on the inside to score by a long head from William with Union Lad 2-1/2 lengths away third.
Brought to you by
© 2005 AAP
From: Eiffeltower7119 Sent: 26/03/2005 6:53 PM
BARONE FOUNTAIN displayed a tremendous kick to capture this year's Pegasus Jump Stakes against a strong field included G1 winners, GILDED AGE, MERCI TAKA O and other grade race winners with the addition of high level foreign entrees from Oceania. The next to places were taken by the two foreign entrees; New Zealand-trained FONTERA partnered by Craig Thorton who rode St. Steven to victory in the 2002 Nakayama Grand Jump, and KARASI from Australia.
All broke smoothly with FUSAICHI JIHAD assuming command after the first jump with MERCI TAKA O close at his heels on the outside, FONTERA tracked the leaders on the outside. KARASI stayed in midfield but was never far from the pace. GILDED AGE advanced to settle in fourth position outside LIGHT PACIFIC, while LORD PREVAIL traveled off the pace in the inside.
BARONE FOUNTAIN was rated at an easy pace another couple of lengths behind. LORD PREVAIL made a gradual advance from the outside coming into the second circuit, while FUSAICHI JIHAD began to tire and faded coming out of the bank after the eighth jump (obstacle No.3).
MERCI TAKA O who took over the lead dueled with FONTERA while LORD PREVAIL was driven hard to keep up with the pace. KARASI joined in the group before jump No. 9 and shifted out for the last turn inside LORD PREVAIL.
FONTERA overtook MERCI TAKA who tired at the head of the stretch while LORD PREVAIL continued his chase. KARASI picked up his gear and gave a fine kick after the last jump, overtaking LORD PREVAIL just before the wire. BARONE FOUNTAIN, who accelerated well towards the last jump, found an opening that allowed him to pass the leader from the inside to a 3/4-length victory.
KARASI's jockey, Brett Scott gave a comment expressing his delight with the gelding's performance. "He's very fit and gave a good run. He'll be better with a longer distance." He said.
Craig Thorton who finished runner-up on FONTERA commented, "He was going so well it was a shame that we got beaten. I hope to do better next time in the Nakayama Grand Jump."
Nakayama Grand Jump
Where: Nakayama racecourse, Tokyo
Distance: Two miles, five furlongs (4.25km)
Total prize money: £888,576
Fences: 20
2001 field size: 16
Key features: Water Jump, Grand Hedge
Did you know? The Nakayama Grand Jump is the richest steeplechase race in the world
Nakayama Grand Jump
http://www.jra.go.jp/english/images/racecourse/nakayama.jpg
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/result/main.html
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Date of Race: Saturday, April 16, 2005
Racecourse: Nakayama Racecourse
Distance: 4,250 meters (About 2-12/32 miles), Turf
Qualification to run: 4-y-o & Up
Weight: 4-y-o colts & geldings 62kg
4-y-o fillies 60kg
5-y-o & up horses & geldings 63.5kg
5-y-o & up mares 61.5kg
Safety Factor: 16(There will be a maximum of 8 foreign-trained starters)
Added Money
http://www.jra.go.jp/english/images/top/2004ngj.jpg
Total JPY 152,000,000 (U.S.$1,447,619)
1st JPN 80,000,000 (U.S.$ 761,904)
2nd JPN 32,000,000 (U.S.$ 304,761)
3rd JPN 20,000,000 (U.S.$ 190,476)
4th JPN 12,000,000 (U.S.$ 114,285)
5th JPN 8,000,000 (U.S.$ 76,190)
http://www.steeplestakes.com/2001/races/images/gokaijump.jpg
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/library/courses/jra00201.jpg
From: specialweek Sent: 12/04/2005 10:54 AM
Karasi has a gained a little weight since the Pegasus and will be worked a little more up until Thursday to be ready for Saturday's million dollar race.
Fontera has done well and apparently loves the conditions here.
Not a big point over 4250m but Karasi has drawn 5 and NZ Fontera in 4.
Race run Saturday at 4.35 EST. I will be on Sport 927 about 4.45 with the result.
Friday sports papers has Karasi on top from Fontera second pick.
I didn't expect that 6 weeks ago.
NAKAYAMA GRAND JUMP
Although the Nakayama Grand Jump's inaugural running took place in 2000, the history of the race can be traced back to 1934.
Known then as the Nakayama Daishogai, it featured obstacles that, if still in place today, would put counterpart steeplechases to shame as a test of equine fortitude.
Gone are the five-foot brick walls that confronted runners then, but the Grand Jump still rates as a steeplechase that takes some winning.
The Water Jump, just three feet high but all of 12 feet in length, offers the trickiest challenge, while the five-foot-high Grand Hedge also provides an ample test.
Shorter and with fewer fences than both the National and Pardubická, the Grand Jump places emphasis on speed rather than stamina.
Race conditions are different, too, with a maximum field of just 16 and international participation by invitation-only lending an air of elitism.
With a staggering purse in keeping with the vast riches on offer in Japanese Flat racing, the Grand Jump is a race coveted by jumps trainers the world over.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/grand_national_2002/1892789.stm
Aussie Races to Glory in World's Richest Jumps Race - 16/04/05
Australian jumper Karasi has scored an outstanding win in the world's richest jumping race - the $1.844 million Nakayama Grand Jump (4250m) at Nakayama.
Karasi follows on the success of Elvstroem in the group 1 Dubai Duty Free at the World Cup meeting last month.
Karasi, with Brett Scott up, won the gruelling jump by a length and a quarter. Second home was the local Cheers Shining, while another Japanese jumper, Laurel Royce was third, another half length back.
http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/04/16/wbRACINGkarasi2_wideweb__430x268.jpg
Karasi, left, makes a mess of the last fence before recovering to score a runaway win in the Grand Jump.
Musgrove said he could not praise Scott highly enough.
"They both gutsed it out," he said.
Before the race Scott said Karasi was not the best jumper he had ridden, but was banking on the gelding's reserves of courage and superior staying ability.
His assessment was spot on.
Scott richly deserved the win as injury cost him the 2002 Grand Jump win on one of his favourites, New Zealand's John Wheeler-trained St Steven.
The gelding was given a lovely run by Scott, just off the speed before hitting the front when approaching the home turn. The Aussie charge stumbled through the last fence, but then showed great fight to regain the lead from the minor placegetters. On the line he was drawing clear for an easy win.
The ten-year-old's record is now boosted to 14 wins and 17 minor placings from 75 starts. His earnings have soared to about $1.72 million.
Karasi, an Irish bred veteran, was an accomplished flat performer before switching to the Musgrove stables and a jumping career. He won a listed Geelong Cup and was second in an Adelaide Cup and third third in two Brisbane Cups. He also finished a fighting fourth in the 2001 Melbourne Cup at Flemington.
His feature jumping wins before today's historic victory included a Yalumba Classic Hurdle win at Oakbank, an Australian Hurdle victory at Sandown and a fighting Grand National Hurdle win in Adelaide.
The win was the second Nakayama Grand Jump triumph for outstanding Australian based kiwi jockey Brett Scott. He partnered St Steven to victory in 2002.
The kiwi jumped Fontera failed to complete the course.
© Cyberhorse 2005 Greg Irvine
Next stop Tennessee for Karasi after $996,000 Grand Jump victory
By Tony Bourke
April 18, 2005
Australia's latest international star Karasi will head to the US for a race next month after his win in the Nakayama Grand Jump in Japan at the weekend.
Part-owner Pearse Morgan, whose family races Karasi with trainer Eric Musgrove and his wife Inez, said they had picked out a race called the Iroquois at Nashville, Tennessee, on May 14 as the 10-year-old's next target.
"The main reasons the race looks suitable are that it is run over over 4800 metres at set weights and he can be flown straight to the US from Japan," Morgan said.
The Karasi camp yesterday was basking in the triumph of Saturday's famous win in the world's richest jumps race.
Morgan, a dedicated St Kilda supporter, was at a Saints-Hawthorn AFL game almost two years ago when he heard that Karasi, which had been bought in England as a three-year-old in 1998 as a potential cups horse, was on the market as a jumper.
"I was at the football with Eric and he got a call from David Hall [who then trained Karasi] who said the owners thought he was finished as a flat horse and he thought he might make it as a jumper," Morgan said.
"I got on the computer when I got home and looked up his flat record and discovered he had been placed in two Brisbane Cups, an Adelaide Cup and finished fourth in a Melbourne Cup as well as winning a Geelong Cup. You don't often find horses with a record like that on the market as a jumper, and a few days later Eric had him in his stable."
In 14 jumps starts for Musgrove, the 10 year-old has won seven and never finished further back than fourth.
Saturday's first prize of $996,000 took his total earnings to more than $1.7 million from 75 starts.
Jockey Brett Scott, who finished third on St Steven in the 2003 Grand Jump after missing the winning ride on the same horse the previous year because of injury, said Saturday was "an awesome day" and that Karasi was "close to the best I've ridden."
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Horseracing/Next-stop-Tennessee-for-Karasi-after-996000-Grand-Jump-victory/2005/04/17/1113676647284.html
From: specialweek Sent: 24/03/2006 12:39 PM
The Pegasus Jump Stakes over 3350m takes place tomorrow at Nakayama. Karasi has drawn gate 1, Merlos gate 12 and Fontera the NZ'der gate 11 in the field of 13.
This is the lead up race for the April 15th Nakayama Grand Jump.
All horses have been working well on the training track and Fontera ran 2nd last year in this with Karasi 3rd.
French horse Ange de Beaumont is in too.
Training report below
http://japanracing.jp/nakayama/060322-02.html
JRA News
2006 News
March 23, 2006
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Karasi to ride Pegasus into Nakayama G J
http://japanracing.jp/nakayama/images/060323-02.jpg
Nakayama Grand Jump champion Karasi will look to shake off the rust in this weekend’s Pegasus Jump Stakes, the stepping stone to the world’s richest jump race next month.
Trainer Eric Musgrove’s 11-year-old has only run on flat ground since capturing the 170 million yen Nakayama Grand Jump, a victory that paved the way for his winning top hurdler honors in Australia last season.
http://japanracing.jp/nakayama/images/060323-01.jpg
Karasi was the lightest entry in the Nakayama Grand Jump at 430 kilograms, but size was hardly a factor as Brett Scott rode the favorite to the winner’s check of 80 million yen in the 4,250-meter contest.
The Irish bred is winless in five starts in 2006, with just one runner-up performance. But clearly, he is more competitive as a jumper as Karasi had just one victory from five flat races prior to his arrival in Japan last year.
Karasi had finished third in the Pegasus Jump Stakes ahead of the Nakayama Grand Jump, and the champion trainer hopes to take a similar route in defending the title this year on April 15 at Nakayama Racecourse.
“We hope that as a step up race for the Nakayama Grand Jump, he will do well in this weekend’s Pegasus Jump Stakes,” Musgrove said on Tuesday upon his arrival at the Chiba Prefecture track.
Musgrove’s other entry, 9-year-old Merlos, may not have his stablemate’s track record, but he can boast a bit of durability. Last year alone, the Aussie entry exhausted 15 races on flat ground and steeplechase combined.
Musgrove has partnered Merlos with Craig Durden, who will make his Japan Racing Association debut in the 3,350-meter Pegasus Jump Stakes. Durden, though, has combined well with Merlos, winning three of five past races with one second-place finish.
He may not pull in the votes like Karasi, but Merlos may have an outside shot on Saturday in the upcoming competitions.
The other entry from Oceania, Kevin Myers’ Fontera, will aim to rebound from a narrow defeat in the 2005 Pegasus Jump Stakes. The 8-year-old Fontera was edged out at the wire by the winner after a bold run at the front, having to settle for second.
His showing made him the third favorite in the ensuing Nakayama Grand Jump, but lady luck was not with Fontera on the afternoon, his rider falling off the saddle during the trip.
This year, Fontera is teaming up with 27-year-old Issac Lupton, the current leading steeplechase jockey in New Zealand. The two have a terrific past together, winning three of four to go with one silver medal.
French bred Ange De Beaumont rounds out the foreign field, trainer Yannick Fertillet’s 7-year-old bay, who is coming off a Group One victory in Rome.
http://japanracing.jp/nakayama/060323-01.html
Karasi Wins Successive Grand Jumps In Japan 15 April 2006
In the 8th running of the richest jumps race in the world today, the Nakayama Grand Jump (J-G1), Australian champion hurdler Karasi defended his title, holding off a strong late challenge by the local Japanese favorite T M Dragon. However connections were forced to wait for several nervous minutes after the trainer of Mejiro Basinger, Mr. Yokichi Okubo requested an inquiry into possible interference caused to his runner by Karasi at the 8th hurdle. Eventually though, the stewards deemed that Karasi had not significantly interfered with Mejiro Basinger, and announced correct weight.
The race, over 4250m, was run at a quick pace with New Zealand challenger Fontera taking a forward position early on together with Balt Fountain, before former top Japanese hurdler Mejiro Ormond took over the lead in the middle stages. Balt Fountain was pulled out of the race shortly after appearing to break down, and Fontera eventually fell at the last hurdle after dropping back through the field with around 1000m to go, but all other 13 horses finished the race safely.
The two favorites were Karasi and T M Dragon, with most Japanese punters expecting these two horses to fight the race out. They were not disappointed, as both horses made their runs in the last 800m or so, moving around the leaders to hit the lead coming into the final stretch. Jockey Brett Scott on Karasi went for home first on the 11yo gelding, and coming to the last hurdle in the straight he held a slender lead. In the final furlong, T M Dragon really knuckled down and began closing the gap, but under Scott's vigorous riding, the brave Australian champion kept finding and eventually held on to beat the gallant 4yo Japanese rival by a neck.
There was 7 lengths back to the winner of the lead-up race, the Pegasus Jump, Telegenic, with another 5 lengths back to Merci A Time in 4th. The other foreign participant in the race, Merlos finished 9th.
Karasi is trained by champion Australasian jumps mentor Mr. Eric Musgrove, and is owned by Mr. Pearse Morgan. He earned a first prize of over 80 million yen for the victory today.
http://www.racingxtra.com/news.php?news=1755&PHPSESSID=faf8675cc2acf0f0b67c59df90e14414
http://www.tvn.com.au/tvnlive/v1/system/modules/org.tvn.website/jsptemplates/tvn_news_article_D.jsp?TVNARTID=-1919733785#
Watch the replay ...courtesy TVN
Karasi on course for a Grand Jump hat-trick
March 25, 2007
KARASI showed he was on track for his third consecutive success in the world's richest jumps race, the Nakayama Grand Jump, by running third in the traditional lead-up race in Japan yesterday.
For the third year in a row, Karasi was placed in the Pegasus Jump Stakes (3350 metres) at Nakayama.
Ridden by Brett Scott for trainer Eric Musgrove, Karasi finished third to Japanese pair Merci A Time and Agnes Hat, beaten a half-length and a neck.
http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/04/16/wbRACINGkarasi2_wideweb__430x268.jpg
Karis in last years Nakayama Grand Jump
Karasi's stablemate Personal Drum, winner of the Grand National Steeple at Flemington last July, finished 11th under Craig Durden.
Australasia's other representatives in the Pegasus Jump Stakes, No Hero and Real Tonic, finished second last and last respectively in the 14-horse field.
The Nakayama Grand Jump (4250 metres) will be run on April 14.
AAP
http://www.theage.com.au/news/horse-racing/karasi-on-course-for-a-grand-jump-hattrick/2007/03/24/1174597959614.html
Japanese fans are crazy for Karasi
Tony Bourke
April 14, 2007
AFTER two years of thinking they had the horses to beat him, Japanese racing fans have taken Australia's Karasi into their hearts as he tries to win the Nakayama Grand Jump for the third time today.
Worth $1.79 million, the Grand Jump, over 4250 metres, is the world's richest jumps race and 12-year-old Karasi is clearly the pick of the four Australasian runners in the field of 15.
The others are his stablemate Personal Drum and New Zealanders Real Tonic and No Hero.
Despite his heroic feats with Karasi in the past two years, jockey Brett Scott admits he has a soft spot for the John Wheeler-trained Real Tonic, on whom he won the Warrnambool Grand Annual and Great Northern Steeplechase at Ellerslie last year, not that it will be a factor in the heat of battle today.
Japanese Racing Association officials were working overtime yesterday to settle an industrial dispute involving strappers that could threaten today's meeting.
The Grand Jump is scheduled for 4.35pm (Melbourne time) and will be shown live on Sky Channel, with Tabcorp providing a full betting service.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/horse-racing/japanese-fans-are-crazy-for-karasi/2007/04/13/1175971350812.html
Karasi wins his third Grand Jump. Amazing. :)
Ageing Karasi may return to defend Japanese honour
Patrick Bartley
April 16, 2007
Pegasus grand Jump 2007 Kariasi wins lead up race (http://jra.jp/JRADB/asx/2007/06/200703060108h.asx)
In the 9th running of the richest jumps race in the world today, the Nakayama Grand Jump (J-G1), Australian champion hurdler Karasi thrilled the Japanese racing fans in winning his 3rd consecutive his title. Applause erupted at the Nakayama racecourse as Karasi passed the winning post, not only earning his connections another 80 million yen, but also breaking his own record of being the oldest horse ever to win a race in the history of the JRA which he had set as an 11yo last year.
AN UNDERSTANDABLY elated Eric Musgrove last night would not rule out ageing steeplechaser Karasi returning to Japan to win a fourth Nakayama Grand Jump next year.
The trainer, who was overwhelmed by his 12-year-old's unprecedented effort in winning his third Nakayama Grand Jump on Saturday, said a return to the land where his horse is increasingly feted was not out of the question.
"Karasi is just like a local hero over here. They have embraced him every year he's come here and the support's got stronger and stronger," Musgrove said.
"We will come home to Australia and give him a good long spell, and then make a decision whether we'd tackle the race for a fourth time."
On Saturday Karasi, ridden by Brett Scott, showed tremendous grit to win the Nakayama Grand Jump, the world's richest jumps race, and take his prizemoney earnings to over $3.7 million.
Karasi was purchased as a yearling in Ireland by a syndicate of owners. He raced for Sir Michael Stoute in England and, after winning three in a row, was bought by clients of then leading Melbourne trainer David Hall in 1999.
After he won the Geelong Cup in 2001 andfinished fourth behind Ethereal in the Melbourne Cup three weeks later, Karasi was bought by Musgrove for just $30,000 in 2002.
"People have asked me whether we should be looking at Europe and America, but there are so many pluses for Japan that we will stick to what he does best," Musgrove said.
"The weights would be against him in Europe, and Japan suits him ideally as he can come in to work in the summer, compete in Japan and then go for a nice long spell and miss having a tough winter. He's pulled up in terrific condition and he can be spelled now.
"I think what is amazing is that Karasi is the oldest racehorse to have ever won either a flat or jumps race in this country, and I think that's the main pointer to why the locals treat the old boy like a star."
After settling worse than midfield in the early stages of the 4250 metres marathon, Scott cleverly manoeuvred his way through the field, saving valuable ground at every opportunity.
Despite almost falling at the last fence, Scott balanced Karasi to win by three-quarters of a length from Reward Present with Merci A Time 2½ lengths away third.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/horse-racing/ageing-karasi-may-return-to-defend-japanese-honour/2007/04/15/1176575680305.html
The Karasi tale is one of many twists and turns in a storied career that is not out of place alongside legends such as Red Rum, Crisp or any other stellar jumper.
Consider some of the steps along the way in this truly remarkable journey:
MAKES debut as a three-year-old for Sir Michael Stoute on a slow track at Newmarket, where he finishes 11th of 19.
WINS three in a row, including his maiden at Brighton by 30 lengths over 2400m, and is bought by clients of then Flemington trainer David Hall with the Melbourne Cup as his mission.
RUNS a fast-finishing second to Bohemiath in the 2000 Adelaide Cup and three weeks later runs third in the Brisbane Cup. Subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Brew runs fourth.
FINISHES third again in the Brisbane Cup the following year, but better things are ahead. He wins the Geelong Cup, then finishes fourth to Ethereal in the 2001 Melbourne Cup. To put that time line into perspective, Ethereal is now the proud mum of Uberalles, placed in last month's New Zealand Derby.
OVERCOMES a splint pressing on a suspensory problem, which forces him to miss nearly a year, to contest the Adelaide Cup again.
JOINS Eric Musgrove's stable, but makes an inglorious debut over jumps, where his safety-first mindset is readily apparent.
QUICKLY gains the knack of jumping and wins the Yalumba Hurdle, Australian Hurdle and South Australian Grand National as a nine-year-old.
ADDS international glory to his portfolio with a win in the 2005 Nakayama Grand Jump and a year later wins the race again.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21541044-11088,00.html
From: InJapan5 Sent: 17/04/2007 12:20 PM
The English call is up on the HP now... Human Turbo Prop lol
http://jra.jp/datafile/seiseki/g1/englishasx/ngj2007_h.asx
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