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While Japanese mare Vodka might not have gained notoriety in Australia, her win in Sunday's Group 1 Japan Cup (2400m) has justifiably made national headlines in her homeland. Ridden by Christophe Lemaire, Vodka defeated last year's Japanese St. Leger winner Oken Bruce Lee by a nose. The mile and a half journey was completed in a time of 2:22.4, ensuring it was the third quickest time in Japan Cup history. Alkaased won the 2005 Japan Cup in a time of 2:22.1 and New Zealand mare Horlicks crossed the line in the 1989 Japan Cup in a time of 2:22.2. The victory guarantees there are legitimate grounds to suggest she might be the best female galloper ever as she won the Japan Cup at her third attempt. It proved elusive in 2007 when she finished fourth and then third in 2008. However her triumph was tinged with sadness as the daughter of Tanino Gimlet bled post-race and is now likely to retire. Vodka has incurred a mandatory one-month ban for a bleeding attack from the JRA. A winner of ten from 25, Vodka has accumulated Y$1.3 billion which is approximately a staggering A$16.4 million in prizemoney. She has won seven Group 1's, six of which have been recorded at the home of the Tokyo Cup, Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu. Better Loosen Up is the only Australian galloper ever to win the Japan Cup, after his success in 1990.
© 2010 Published 30/11/09
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