MANILA, Philippines — Mystic Award and Manda pulled off impressive wins against their elite imported and local fields in the Japan Cup Races recently at the San Lazaro Leisure and Business Park in Carmona, Cavite.
Formerly known as the JRA (Japan Racing Authority) Cup, which has been going on for more than a decade, the prestigious event featured the local and imported divisions offering a total of P1 million in prizes.
Ridden by JD Juco, Mystic Award stayed with the pack three fourths of the way, before bursting into the finish for a five-length victory in the Imported Division (1,400 meters) of the Japan Cup over eventual second placer Anaffairtoremember (jockey Val Dilema) and second runner-up War Dancer (RO Niu Jr).
The win was worth P300,000 for Mystic Award owner Jade Bros Farm, with owner Narciso Morales (Anaffairtoremember) and Rancho Sta. Rosa (War Dancer) receiving P112,500 and P62,500, respectively.
“The game-plan is stay with the pack to conserve energy, then pour it on in the stretch. Hayun, natupad naman ang gusto ng mga boss,” said Juco.
It was practically the same five-length triumph pulled off by Manda, ridden by Jockey JB Hernandez in the Local Division (1,400 meters), where the Benjamin Abalos Jr.-owned horse beat the likes of Mam Candy (jockey Kevin Abobo) and Summer Romance (Val Dilema).
Manda owner Abalos Jr. pocketed the top purse of P300,000.
The Japan Cup is a reciprocal arrangement between the Philippine Racing Commission and the Japan Racing Authority, which in turn hosts the Annual Philippine Trophy Race.
On the same day at the Manila Jockey Club’s Chantilly Bar, JRA officials Sadamichi Imabayashi, Kazuhiro Youfu, Hiroyuki Koezuka and Masashi Shoju also presented their recommendations on how the three premier race tracks – MJCI’s San Lazaro Park, Philippine Racing Club’s Santa Ana Park and Metro Turf can improve the conditions of their race courses.
In April of last year, JRA Facilities Co. Ltd. director Youfu and JRA Facilities Co. Ltd. adviser Imabayashi were invited by the Philracom to help raise the standards of the Philippines’ three premier racetracks.
“They presented their individual reports on each of the three race tracks in the country to emphasize what’s lacking, kung paano mako-correct and how to maintain them. And from their findings and recommendation, we will put this as a requirement to the clubs,” added Philracom chairman Andrew Sanchez.
