Admire Rakti Wins Caulfield Cup for Japan
Description:
Japanese raider Admire Rakti made a storming seven-wide run in the final 150 meters and snatched a half-length victory in the Aus$3 million Caulfield Cup (Aus-I) Oct. 18.
Ridden by Zac Purton for trainer Tomoyuki Umeda, Admire Rakti was patiently rated in midfield, cut to the outside entering the stretch, and let rip with a swift rally. Closing ground with powerful strides, he wore down front-runner Rising Romance late to get the win.
Lucia Valentina, the favorite, was third, followed home by Brambles. Lucia Valentina was the first Caulfield Cup favorite to place in six years.
Sea Moon took the lead soon after the start, followed by Brambles, Rising Romance, and Who Shot Thebarman. Into the stretch Rising Romance was up to take command and opened a two-length lead but Admire Rakti was moving fastest of all on the outside and blew past.
Final time for 2,400 meters on good turf was 2:32.12. Owner Riicki Kondo's Admire Rakti, a group III winner in Japan last year, earned the Aus $1,750,000 winner's share of the purse in scoring his first victory at the group I level.
Admire Rakti, a 6-year-old son of Heart's Cry—Admire Teresa, by Helissio, could make the quick turnaround and contest the Aus$6 million Emirates Melbourne Cup (Aus-I), Australia's most famous race, Nov. 4 at Flemington.
Bred by Northern Farm, Admire Rakti was a $346,240 purchase by SR Corp. at the the 2009 JRHA yearling sale.