Lane’s hoping for coup de Gracieux
DAMIAN Lane will be given the chance to farewell Lys Gracieux in style when he partners the Cox Plate winner in Sunday’s Group 1 Arima Kinen (2500m), the mare’s final race.
Lane, who has fostered a highly rewarding alliance with Japanese stables after a midyear stint, will travel to Nakayama to take part in a phenomenal renewal of the Arima Kinen.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Lane said.
“Obviously she’s a quality mare. It’s going to be a tough race now that Almond Eye is going there, but I'm really looking forward to it.”
Almond Eye had been scheduled to go to the Hong Kong Cup earlier this month but those plans were scuttled when the Japanese star suffered an infection, leading to a change in race plans.
Lane piloted Lys Gracieux to victory in the Takarazuka Kinen, a success which paved the way for a memorable Cox Plate triumph.
Lane has been granted a one-day licence to ride next Sunday.
“It’s a great result because I wasn’t entitled for the licence,” he said. “It’s a special licence they’ve granted me just because of my association with her, so I was very lucky to get the opportunity.
“My expectation is that she will run well because she is such a class horse and she's so honest, but it’s going to be a very competitive race.
“It’s probably the best race that Japan has seen all year.
“You’ve got the Japan Cup winner (Suave Richard), Almond Eye, Kiseki. Basically nearly every one of their best horses, bar say (International Vase winner) Glory Vase who went to Hong Kong, is in this race. So it’s going to be mighty competitive but she will run well.”