Lys Gracieux Makes Cox Plate History for Japan

Yoshito Yahagi witnessed the great Kingston Town secure a historic third Ladbrokes Cox Plate (G1) success when learning his trade in Australia in 1982. Thirty-seven years later, he trained the first winner of the race for Japan as Lys Gracieux stormed to an impressive victory.

Yahagi described Australia as "my home" in the immediate aftermath of the biggest success of his career in the the AU$5 million (US$3,411,050) feature Oct. 26 at Moonee Valley.

Damian Lane's mount produced a devastating turn of foot to justify favoritism, readily defeating Castelvecchio by 1 1/2 lengths, with Te Akau Shark two lengths behind him in third.

It was a big success for Japan, first-time Cox Plate winner Lane, and owner U Carrot Farm for the second consecutive Saturday, after Mer de Glace won the Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (G1).

Yahagi, who spent time with Bart Cummings in Flemington and Neville Begg in Sydney, said: "I was confident beforehand as she has thrived since she arrived in Australia and was in even better form than when she was in Japan.

"I've been wanting to win this race for many years, ever since I saw Kingston Town win in 1982, so I'm delighted to do it—it's a dream come true.

"There are many great racing people in Australia—it is my home!"

Victory did not look particularly likely for the wide-drawn Lys Gracieux at halfway, with Lane sitting and suffering near the rear of the full 14-runner field, but he navigated a perfect passage to bring the dual top-level winner in with a telling run.

Lys Gracieux, by Heart's Cry, earned a spot in the Nov. 5 Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1) at Flemington, but Yahagi ruled out a potential bid in favor of aiming the 5-year-old at the Dec. 22 Arima Kinen (G1) at Nakayama.

He said: "I thought she was not going to make it from there, but Damian is a top jockey and Lys Gracieux is a very good horse.

"We won't be going for the Melbourne Cup and instead will aim her at the Arima Kinen."

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Magic Wand was prominent throughout under Ryan Moore and ran another consistent race in group 1 company to finish fourth. Danceteria never threatened and finished last of 14.

David Menuisier felt the unique course did not suit his group 1 winner, who is set to contest the Nov. 9 Seppelt Mackinnon Stakes (G1) at Flemington.

Menuisier said: "He didn't handle the track and suffered a bump on the final bend when trying to make ground. It was all over after that, and he didn't have a hard race. We have lost the battle but not the war, and the plan is to head to the Mackinnon."