Deep Impact bounces back to his best in Japan
Ed Dunlop’s brave mare put up another bold performance, although the combination of a stiff 12 furlongs and her incredible schedule may have just taken its toll.
Her season already includes a Royal Ascot win, a victory in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood and a second Breeders’ Cup success.
Following an emotional victory at Churchill Downs she was named Horse Of The Year for an unprecedented second time and connections mapped out a farewell tour that would see her taken in the Japan Cup in Tokyo and the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin next month.
The plan so nearly got off to a flying start but she had to give best to the Japanese superstar, who had finished third on his last start in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe before subsequently being disqualified.
Yutake Take adopted his usual tactics on Deep Impact of dropping out to the rear of the field, ones that he surprisingly abandoned at Longchamp.
Frankie Dettori was sat just in front on Ouija Board but Take unleashed the four-year-old down the outside and he swept into a lead he was never to relinquish.
Dunlop’s mare gallantly tried to reel in him but it was to no avail as Deep Impact won by two lengths from Dream Passport, with Ouija Board a further quarter of a length back in third.
Heart’s Cry, third in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, finished 10th of the 11 runners.
Deep Impact is set to have one more run, in the Arima Kinen on Christmas Eve, before beginning a career at stud.
Dettori had no excuses in the aftermath and was full of praise for the winner.
“She ran really well. She exerted her best but the long uphill stretch was a bit too tough for her. She seemed to tire in the last 100 metres,” he said.
“She is still the best mare in the world and so the winner would naturally be the best horse in the world.”
Take was thrilled at being able to put his miserable experience of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe behind him.
Deep Impact was disqualified after testing positive for a banned substance.
“I am just overwhelmed,” said the rider. “Hearing the fans appreciating his victory today and being genuinely happy, I feel happy to have done my job as a jockey and answering to their expectations.
“Not being able to succeed in the Arc was a disappointment for the fans of course, but even more for the stable staff that had put so much effort into the race.
“Knowing how they felt, I was determined to show our fans, once again, his true form in this race.
“He is usually a nervous horse before the race, but he probably benefited from his experience in France because he settled well.
“He was slow as usual coming out of the starting stalls but that didn’t worry me as I was able to see the position of the whole field and I was conscious of Ouija Board who was close to me.
“I concentrated on keeping him relaxed and made sure not to fight him during the journey.
“Coming round the home turn, Frankie Dettori shifted the mare a little to the inside which gave me the opportunity to make my intended move to the outside for my charge – everything worked out my way.
“When I asked him for an effort in the last 700 metres, he responded well and gave that ‘flying’ charge – then I knew I had won the race.
“Though I would love to ride him in many more starts, the decision of his retirement is made and my job is to give my best ride in the Arima Kinen.”
Deep Impact’s trainer Yasuo Ikee was also pleased to be able to consign the whole episode of the Arc to the history books.
“Coming back from France and going through quarantine, he may not have put as much weight back on, and training towards this race, he came into it at his lightest racing weight. But he had the necessary muscle and he was fit.
“Since the Arc we have been through a lot and it was a testing time for us. But seeing Deep Impact – who had no knowledge of what was happening around him - being his usual self gave me the energy to carry on and I have learned that even if you are at your lowest, things can turn up again.
“Although the time remaining between myself and Deep Impact is short, I will go on as always, doing my best to condition him to his best for his finale in the Arima Kinen.”
