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Will The Sun Rise Over Longchamp?
The Japanese have a love affair with the Arc. This began with their first runner in 1969, Speed Symboli. Although the horse could only finish eleventh, the performance sparked an enthusiasm for the race. G1 Japan Cup winner El Condor Paso's second in the 1999 renewal behind Montjeu marked a change in fortunes. It showed that Japanese horses were good enough to compete with the potential of winning. However, it has only been heartbreak for the Japanese on multiple occasions since.
In 2006, Japanese Triple Crown winner Deep Impact was targeted at the Arc as part of his four-year-old campaign. He was subject to a large gamble and started favourite, with over 1,500,000 euros bet on the colt in France, making him one of the shortest priced 'Arc' favourites on the PMU. Deep Impact could only manage third and worse was yet to come. In 2012, Ofevre hit the front in the final 400m, but Japanese hopes were dashed - the Chantilly trained outsider Solemia stole the victory on a rain-sodden track by a neck in the final strides.
This year, Japan is represented by two runners: Fillies Triple Crown and multiple Group One heroine Chrono Genesis and G2 Prix Foy (2400m) winner Deep Bond. We speak to their connections about their respective chances in the big race…
"Chrono Genesis arrived in France on September 24th, and she has been on the gallops since. The main part of the preparation was made in Japan. She is in very good condition. She really worked this morning with Oisin Murphy who is her jockey for Sunday. I told him to be nice with her. She had a very fluid action and I have no concern about her.
She usually runs only twice with two months between two races. It's her usual rhythm. Here, it would be three months, but Chrono Genesis needs that time in-between races. We started to think about the Arc after her last December race. Then, Dubai in March was a way to give her some experience, to see if she can run well after travelling and preparing the trip to Paris.
Even if the ground would be soft, I will run her. I am not particularly worried about this. Chrono Genesis can adapt herself to every ground. She's very brave and courageous.
The opposition is going to be very strong, but I have prepared Chrono Genesis to be in 100% form that day and the rest is up to Oisin. I am very proud that she is considered as a chance in this Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. I've done my best and now, I would be very happy to win. I am honoured of the confidence of Chrono Genesis owners : this mare has taught me so much. I owe her a lot."
Takashi Saito, trainer of Chrono Genesis
"The morning's work (Wednesday) was the same as that which preceded the Prix Foy: Deep Bond worked over 1200m. Mickaël Barzalona was able to make him quicken his pace at the end. The choice of Mickaël Barzalona as jockey for Deep Bond followed the withdrawal of Cristian Demuro (to ride Raabihah). Mickaël Barzalona was free, to my greatest surprise. He won for me in Japan, I knew him well, so that's the ideal scenario in that situation.
For the tactics on D-Day, everything will depend on the weather. Rain is forecast and the going should be softer. He won't have a problem with that, and he can adapt to any tactic even if he needs to be close to the front of the race. I am waiting for the draw to have a more precise idea. The horse acclimatised well at Chantilly and had a very good race in the Prix Foy even though he is not used to racing so offensively. I expect the same performance on Sunday. But the point is, it's rare in Japan to run 2400m races just three weeks apart.
Winning the Arc would be a great celebration in Japan but all the Japanese horses that came until today did not win, there were a lot of second places. I would like to be the first. For Deep Bond owners, the Arc is the biggest race in the world and a win would be a dream come true.
There have been a lot of opponents that I am wary of: the other Japanese Chrono Genesis has an impressive turn of foot"
Ryuji Okubo, trainer of Deep Bond