Europe's Japan Cup Challengers On Track At Fuchu

The Ed Dunlop-trained superstar Ouija Board was out on the track at Fuchu racecourse, Tokyo, this morning under Frankie Dettori, putting in a steady canter on the firm turf, and pleasing her connections.

The globetrotting mare, who has had a long season that started in Dubai in March, and has yielded three Gr.1 victories, the most recent being her second Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare turf triumph at Churchill Downs little more than three weeks ago, continues to amaze onlookers with her sense of well being. True to form she looked in great shape and totally at home in her new surroundings as she stepped onto the track.

Her trainer, however, is in no doubt about the size of the task confronting her in this year's Japan Cup ' She's very well, and Jason Tate, who rides her every day thinks she's better than ever, in better form even than she was before the Breeders' Cup. She's a freak really in achieving what she has so far, and I think it's down to her amazing temperament.'

'Having said that she's up against two of the best colts in the world in Deep Impact and Heart's Cry on Sunday, and while she's the best mare in the world, she's got it all to do. But Frankie was happy with her today, and she's at her best racing weight.'

'She may have improved a little on last year when she was fifth in this race. I hope there's a sound pace in the race, and that she'll be able to quicken off that pace and arrive late. If she gets there too soon she can idle a little as happened in the Irish Champion Stakes. We'll hold on to her a little bit and hope for the best'

Less highly regarded than Ouija Board, but no back number in the view of the Niarchos Family's Racing Manager, Alan Cooper, is Freedonia, trained by John Hammond in Chantilly. Freedonia looked very fresh as she bounced onto the track for the first time this morning after clearing quarantine at Shiroi, and arriving at Tokyo racecourse on Wednesday.

' She's a late maturing type, of whom John (Hammond) has always had a high regard. She's improved all season, and we were pleased with her second place finish in New York in the Turf Classic, but the slow pace there didn't help her. We had thought of this race for her for a while, and were delighted to get an invitation to participate. We felt that the usual strong pace in this race and the fast ground would suit her better than the Breeders' Cup, and for that reason we decided to give the Breeders' Cup a miss.'

'John Hammond arrives tomorrow, and she'll probably have a couple of light canters, but won't do too much. She'll save her energy for Sunday. I see the British bookmakers are quoting her as a 66/1 chance, but she's a lot better than that in my view. The opposition is strong, but I believe she can run well'

Both Ouija Board and Freedonia have received invitations to the CXHKIR in December, and if all goes well with both on Sunday, the pair are likely to take their chances there, in what will be for Ouija Board, at least, a final swansong to a glorious racing career.