Undefeated Chrysoberyl Sets Record in Champions Cup

Chrysoberyl spurted between rivals in the final 50 meters to win the Champions Cup (G1) on the Chukyo Racecourse dirt oval Dec. 1, remaining undefeated in six starts.

The 3-year-old Gold Allure colt finished the 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) in a course-record 1:48.5. It was his first win at the top level.

With Yuga Kawada riding, Chrysoberyl got away cleanly from post 5, established position on the rail just behind pacesetting Inti, and held that spot until midstretch. At that point, Christophe Lemaire had favored Gold Dream in hot pursuit outside the leader.

Sandwiched between Inti and Gold Dream, Chrysoberyl inched clear in the final strides and won by a neck over 2017 Champions Cup winner Gold Dream, a 6-year-old son of Gold Allure. Inti, the February Stakes (G1) winner, tired to finish third, another 1 1/4 lengths in arrears.

One of two 3-year-olds in the 16-horse field, Chrysoberyl enjoyed a 2-kilogram (about 4.4-pound) weight break against most rivals.

"We were able to settle in good position behind Inti, and the colt was able to race with good rhythm," Kawada said. "Though it was difficult to advance, having to race between Inti and Gold Dream at the stretch, we were able to pull away and win the rally at the end."

The victory was a big step up for Chrysoberyl, who won at first asking in September 2018, then was out of action for six months with leg issues. He won a comeback race in March and then swept three events on the calendar of the National Association of Racing, Japan's locally run circuit. That string included the Japan Dirt Derby at 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles).

The Champions Cup was his first grade 1 start in Japan Racing Association competition.

Bred by Northern Farm and owned by U Carrot Farm, Chrysoberyl is a half brother to two-time grade 1 winner Marialite, a Deep Impact mare whose best results were on turf.

The colt's steady improvement opens options for international competition, especially with relatively few dirt-racing options in Japan and the rapid development of big-money dirt races in the Middle East—a possibility Kawada acknowledged.

"He is still unbeaten, and I'm confident that he will continue to develop and become even stronger," Kawada said.

Considering his chances before the race, trainer Hidetaka Otonashi concurred.

"He's still young and developing, and I think this will be the case through until next spring," the conditioner said.

The Champions Cup, formerly known as the Japan Cup Dirt, is open to international competition, but following a recent trend, no foreign connections chose to take on the locals.