Shin Emperor

We learned that Economics had grit and determination to go with his class as he got the better of the title-holder Auguste Rodin in a pulsating renewal of the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday but, in behind, Shin Emperor was running a big race to take third place.

The presence of Yoshito Yahagi’s horse in Saturday’s feature added a truly international dimension to the day and to the race, and he put up a hugely encouraging performance in defeat. It was always possible that it was going to be tricky for rider Ryusei Sakai from his inside draw and, sure enough, he didn’t have a whole lot of racing room between the two-furlong marker and the furlong marker. Checked a little and switched to his right, the Siyouni colt was strong through the final furlong, clocking the fastest final-furlong time and moving from sixth place to third place by the time he got to the winning line, just a length behind the winner. This 10-furlong trip was probably short of Shin Emperor’s best.

A staying-on third in the Japanese Derby over a mile and a half at Tokyo in May, he should come on for this run, it is probable that this will put him spot on for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and he should appreciate the step back up to a mile and a half at Longchamp. His trainer is hugely successful both domestically and internationally, and it is worth bearing in mind that Shin Emperor is a full-brother to Sottsass, who finished fourth in the Irish Champion Stakes in 2020 before winning the Arc three weeks later. Given the results of the Arc trials at Longchamp on Sunday, it is mildly surprising that Shin Emperor is not shorter than 8/1 now for the Arc.

Leopardstown, 14th September 2024
© Sportinglife.com 17th September 2024






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