[jaripeo]

From SAHORSERACING.:
DUTY FREE: JAPAN VS SOUTH AFRICA?
The South African's hold a key hand in the Dubai Duty Free billed as the race of the day this Saturday on World Cup night, but the Japanese are set to bring their own mix to the party.
Vodka, Japan’s sole filly to be lining up at the Dubai World Cup meeting, was seen out on the turf track under leading jockey Yutaka Take this morning, who believes his mount has a real chance of lifting the Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free.
Take commented after her workout: “She was alone on the turf course, so she was shying and a bit nervous about the surroundings.
“I think she just was not acquainted with the place, however, once she changed into the top gear, she put in a fantastic performance and I thought that was her real form.
“I think she is in better form than when she was at Kyoto Racecourse during the quarantine and I am very much looking forward to Saturday’s race.”
Trainer Katsuhiko Sumii is also hopeful of the chances of his four-year-old, who became the first filly to win the Japanese Derby in 64 years.
He said: “She was shying a bit, but her actual performance was no problem at all. We have been doing our best for her and everything has been going well.
“She will not appear on the main track tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, but she will have a light canter in the trotting area.”
Admire Aura, a four-year-old colt by Agnes Tachyon, who finished fourth in the Group 1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) and third in the Japanese Derby last year cantered with the UAE Derby runner Iide Kenshin on the dirt course.
His exercise rider Tsuyoshi Matsuda said: “The horse did not have any problem during the trip to Dubai. He is eating up very well and is in a good form. We are planning to gallop him with Iide Kenshin again tomorrow.”
European import Darjina made an appearance on the training track in front of Alain de Royer-Dupre.
The trainer of the French challenger, who is a winner of five of her eight lifetime starts, said: "She's a little light and I've kept her on the dirt today. We will give her some action on the turf tomorrow."
South African trainer Herman Brown was also on hand to supervise his pair of contenders for the US$5million turf contest, Linngari and Jay Peg.
“The Dubai Duty Free has an extremely strong field but Linngari has the background to run a big race as he was a very strong second behind the best turf horse [Admire Moon] last year,” commented Brown.
“He has the potential to perform well on the day. We need to have the horse feeling well and he’ll do the rest.”
“While Jay Peg is very, very fit. It will be the toughest race of his career and I think the draw will play a big part in how he runs.”