Japan rider to make Impact

UNHERALDED J apanese rider Ryusei Sakai has been sensationally pitch-forked on to the international stage as a record six raiders lay siege to the Caulfield Cup, following former favourite Yucatan’s withdrawal.

Sakai, 21, will ride in an Australian Group 1 for the first time aboard Sole Impact, after a string of higher-ranked runners failed to take their place in the 18-horse field.

The decision not to accept with Herbert Power winner Yucatan sparked controversy among punters as owner Lloyd Williams and trainer Aidan O’Brien bypassed the world’s richest 2400m handicap.

Williams said Yucatan had swollen joints on Monday, prompting vets to X-ray the horse to check for bone damage.

Cleared of injury, the import will now be reserved for the Melbourne Cup on November 6, after O’Brien and Williams decided not to back up the devastating last-start winner.

Racing Victoria stewards will check betting trends with trader Betfair amid reports Yucatan was heavily laid on the exchange in the hours before he was withdrawn.

Yucatan worked lightly at Werribee yesterday with Ireland’s Thecliffsofmoher (TAB $7), who heads six Werribee-based contenders for the $5 million cup.

Sakai partnering Japanese grey Sole Impact ($41) completes an unlikely rise from riding on the South Australian provincial and city circuits to global stardom —