In the 2006 Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse, Deep Blues and Pop Rock went past the winning post locked together. The photo revealed that the former had prevailed by the narrowest of margins. Yasunari Iwata was the winning jockey.

On Sunday at Tokyo Racecourse, in the Japan (turf) Cup, Pop Rock was again in a photo to determine the winner. The other horse was Admire Moon ridden by Yasunari Iwata. The photo showed that jockey Iwata had again been Pop Rock’s nemesis. Iwata and Admire Moon had beaten Pop Rock and Olivier Peslier by a head.

In a finish that had 103,545 fans screaming at the top of their lungs, three horses flashed past the post in close order. All the three horses were Japanese stars. The invaders had been brushed aside. On a gorgeous autumn day in Tokyo, the fans had wagered 21, 026,221,200 yen on the Japan Cup. The handle on Sunday was 29, 286, 687, 900 yen. (I misstated the betting unit yesterday. The minimum bet in Japan is 100 yen.)

Chosan showed the way as the field was let go. Pop Rock was away fourth. Admire Moon was in sixth and fifth place. It was a sensible pace. Meisho Samson, the 10 to 8 on favourite, was held up Yutaka Take. Vodka, the filly, lay in the rear. The positions remained the same for the most part. As the field was getting ready to make the turn for the dash to the wire, several jockeys elected to move to the outside. Tokyo is an expansive, wide track that helps a galloper. Jockey Iwata, in a surprise move, chose to take the shortest way around. The ground-saving tactics helped Admire Moon gain an advantage. As they raced down the lane, Admire Moon quickened spiritedly to hit the front. With 300 metres left, the lead seemed insurmountable. Pop Rock and Meisho Samson and Vodka were delivering their challenges. As Admire Moon went past the 200-metre point, he began showing signs of being leg weary. Pop Rock and Meisho Samson were bridging the gap. Jockey Iwata was desperately trying to cling to the diminishing advantage. It was a nail-biting finish. Admire Moon had beaten back Pop Rock and Meisho Samson. It was a head verdict for Admire Moon over Pop Rock who was a neck in front of the favoured Meisho Samson.

The time for the 2,400-metre race on turf (firm) was 2 24.7 seconds. The record is held by Alkaseed who clocked 2 22.1 when winning for Luca Cumani and Frankie Dettori in 2005. Admire Moon returned 1,030 yen on a 100 yen ticket. The odds were 9.30 to 1. The winner’s share of the purse was, in terms of dollars, 2,173,000. The total purse was 4,639,000. It was the 27th running of the Japan (turf) Cup.

Admire Moon, a four year-old, is by End Sweep. Mr Katies, the dam is by Sunday Silence. The trainer is Hiroyoshi Matsuda. Admire Moon is owned by the Darley Japan Farm Co. Ltd. It is the Godolphin operation’s Japanese name. Chikara Takahashi runs the establishment.  He said in an elaborate press meeting, “When we got Admire Moon, we were confident that he would be strong at 2,000 metres. His defeat in Tenne Sho (autumn) was a big disappointment. We were keen on going out on a winning note so that the breeding value will go up. We got the feeling he will stay 2,400. My wish was granted and I am very grateful.”

Vodka ran on to be fourth. Delta Blues, the 2006 Melbourne Cup winner, took fifth. Papal Bull was seventh and Artiste Royal finished eighth. Saddex was 11th and Halicarnassus was 17th. It was a sweep for the Japanese.

This was Admire Moon’s third Grade I win in 2007. He was victorious in the Dubai Duty Free in March. He won the Takarazuka Kinen in June. The Dubai race was over 1,777 metres. The Japan race was run over 2200 metres. Admire Moon’s earnings now stand at 1,187,727,000 yen. He was the fifth in order of preference in the betting.

Trainer Hiroyoshi Matsuda was happy about the fact that his charge had shown he is a true Grade I product. “He was unlucky in Tenne Sho. These things happen. The pace was not quick. He (Admire Moon) responded very well when let go and I thought he may have moved too soon. I am relieved he held on.”

Jockey Iwata was charged with emotion.” I just do not know what to say. When jockeys took to the outside, I took a chance to go inside. It worked perfectly for us. I have not won any big race in Tokyo and I have been riding here for a year. This win will give me a lot of confidence.”

At Aqueduct in New York on Saturday, in the Grade I $300,000 Cigar Mile, Midnight Lute, the half money choice and the Breeders’ Cup Sprint champion, was beaten. Daaher was in front down the backside and Garrett Gomez took Midnight Lute back. Nearing the final bend, Midnight Lute came with a neck of Daaher but the latter found another gear. With 200 metres left, Daaher had put the race to bed. Midnight Lute, much to the chagrin of his fans, could give no more. It was a two and one half length victory. Five ran. The time was 1 33.79 on fast dirt. The Cigar Mile went to Discreet Cat in 2006.

Kiaran McLaughlin, the winning trainer spoke about Daaher’s immediate future. “We will go to Dubai for the Godolphin mile or the World Cup. He is getting better all the time.”

It was the third consecutive win for Daaher with blinkers. He sports a record of 4-0-1 from seven starts for earnings of $447,039.

Mike Luzzi, the winning rider talked about his job being made easy. “He did it all. He kicked for me and as Midnight Lute came at us, we had plenty left. He can run. No question about it.”

Bob Baffert focused on the learning process that Midnight Lute is putting him through. “Taking him back was a mistake. We should let him do his thing. We are still learning.”

Garrett Gomez said, “If he gets to the front early, he pulls himself up. I had to time it right. I had plenty in the last turn but the winner kept going and we flattened at the eighth pole.”

Daaher, an Awesome Again progeny, was carrying nine pounds less than Midnight Lute.

Trainer Tood Pletcher has set a single season record for earnings. He reached $26,850,873 with three wins across the nation on Saturday. Mini Sermon won the Grade II Top Flight handicap at Aqueduct. AP Arrow scored in the Grade II Clark handicap at Churchill Downs. The Leopard was a winner in The Generous Stakes at Hollywood Park.

“It is a team effort. It is a microcosm of what our stable can do when you are striking on all fronts. It is a great accomplishment for the entire team, “ Pletcher said.

The Ramaswamy juggernaut’s winning beat has begun. Wonder Smile served notice that the ‘gold brown belt’ brigade is on the march. I read the review about the Bangalore 1,000 Guineas.

Chris Hayes is proving his worth. I have seen him in Ireland. His ability is far beyond his years. He has many more arrows in his quiver.