There seems to be no escaping the Japanese influence on this spring carnival, and again at Geelong on Wednesday, the strength of their purchasing power will be on display.
After Admire Rakti's win in the Caulfield Cup last Saturday and favouritism for the Melbourne Cup, Wednesday's Geelong Cup has another link to one of the most powerful horse racing and breeding countries in the world.
The pre-post favourite More Than Sacred, a New Zealand Oaks winner among other strong performances at the highest level, was purchased by Northern Farms of Japan some months ago and, once her spring carnival preparation has finished, will be flown into Japan for the breeding season that commences on February 1.
Breeders in Japan have a preference for Australian group 1 winners, and in the past few years, high-class race mares Mosheen, Southern Speed, King's Rose and Shamrocker have all been bought by Japanese stud farms.
Trainer Robert Smerdon, who prepared More Than Sacred, is hoping the five-year-old can win the Geelong Cup, not only for her breeding profile, but success would mean she could squeeze into the Melbourne Cup field.
"She's a nice mare and her two runs at Caulfield and Cranbourne were very good, and I think what's very much on her side is that she is a group 1 winner at 2400 metres," Smerdon said.
"She's had the two outings at 200 metres and I think the 2400 is just what she wants. And if we can pull it off, a penalty would lift her into a better position in the order of entry for the Cup."
More Than Sacred is 41st on the order of entry for this year's Melbourne Cup, but the former Kiwi mare is not the only horse entered in Wednesday's race who is hoping to leapfrog into the Cup.
Local galloper Sertorius and former Sydney mare Zanbagh are the only two who are definitely secure at getting a run in the $6.2 million handicap.
In an open race, More Than Sacred is marginally the favourite at $5 from Sertorius and Zanbagh at $5.50.
The Ken Keys-trained Like A Carousel also continues his march to the Melbourne Cup, and a win is definitely needed to enhance the Cranbourne-trained galloper, who is positioned awkwardly at 49th.
David Hayes is confident that his tough young stayer Lotion can win the $120,000 Geelong Classic.
After a superb ride by Craig Williams in the Hill Smith Stakes in Adelaide last start, the jockey has been booked for today's three-year-old event.
