Japanese raider in line for 2025 Caulfield Cup honours
Japanese horseman Katsunori Tanaka hopes to join his father-in-law Yoshito Yahagi in Melbourne Spring Carnival history when Golden Snap lines up in Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).
Yahagi trained Lys Gracieux to a famous 2019 Cox Plate victory before Tanaka even held a trainer’s licence. Now, five years into his own career, Tanaka is chasing a slice of Australian racing glory with Golden Snap, who makes her first start on local soil this weekend.
Golden Snap is aiming to become the third Japanese-trained winner of the Caulfield Cup in the past decade, following Admire Rakti (2014) and Mer De Glace (2019). Tanaka has long targeted the Cup double, having inspected Australian race venues and quarantine facilities back in 2014 as part of his planning.
While she may not boast the same resume as Japan’s previous Cup champions, Tanaka believes Golden Snap’s light weight of 53.5kg makes her a genuine threat.
“She is probably not as proven as some of the other Japanese horses that have come over in the past few years,” Tanaka said.
“But I have been aiming to race her in Australia, especially in the Melbourne Cup, for a year-and-a-half and I think she is the right candidate as she is lightly handicapped.
“Her form is good, and I think she is suited to race in Australia.
“I am really quite confident that she can run a good race in the Caulfield Cup. We have her fit and ready to go, but there is also improvement to the Melbourne Cup as well.”
Regular rider Suguru Hamanaka retains the ride, with Tanaka trusting the experienced jockey to manage the mare’s unpredictable nature despite drawing wide in barrier 18.
“We will have a discussion with Golden Snap about it,” Tanaka joked.
“We want to ride her to keep her momentum going, we don’t want to stop and start.
“I’m not worried about the track. She has raced on tight turning tracks in Japan and Caulfield is big enough for her.”
Golden Snap sits at $23 in the market for the Caulfield Cup, with Half Yours heading betting at $2.90.
Those planning to bet on the Caulfield Cup can find the latest odds and offers at Australia’s best betting sites, ranked among the most searched platforms on Google for horse racing and spring carnival wagering.
More Racing News
Augustus and Desert Hero debut in Flemington feature
While the Australian Cup Prelude at Flemington doesn't carry the weight of the day's opening races, it has the potential to highlight future stars for major events ahead.Ciaron Maher will launch two newcomers from overseas in the Saturday 2000m race – Augustus and Desert Hero.Desert Hero already has Australian experience,...
Robbie Griffiths plans VRC Sires' Produce Stakes tilt with Almost An Angel
For the youngsters, the VRC Sires' Produce Stakes provides the debut opportunity to tackle a genuine journey.Now that the Blue Diamond Stakes, Victoria's top juvenile prize, has been run and captured last month, attention shifts for the fast two-year-olds to the Golden Slipper up in Sydney.Robbie Griffiths, however, set his...
Ipswich Friday features prepared Sir Maurice
With an advantageous claim on weight and a competitor set for a win, Jack Bruce is eager for Sir Maurice to perform at Ipswich this coming Friday.Marking his fifth run this campaign, the five-year-old offspring of champion Japanese sire Maurice enters the Great Northern Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m) for an...
Blinkers and McDonald for Hidrix in key Todman Stakes before Golden Slipper
Hidrix, once the top pick for the Golden Slipper, faces two major tweaks for his engagement in the Todman Stakes at Randwick: blinkers fitted and James McDonald in the saddle.Although McDonald guided stable companion Confederation during the Canonbury Stakes (1100m) Hidrix won and the Silver Slipper (1100m), he'll switch to...
Filly Caffe Florian emerges as next talent for Richard Litt
Though Richard Litt runs a modest team in numbers, he has proven adept at pinpointing quality performers.Responsible for training dual Group 1 champion Castelvecchio and Profondo's 2021 Spring Champion Stakes success, the Warwick Farm conditioner now seems to hold a fresh prospect in developing filly Caffe Florian.The three-year-old by Snitzel...
Waller's entrants set for All-Star Mile at Flemington
Leading handler Chris Waller embraces the All-Star Mile format since its promotion to Group 1.Launched back in 2019, the All-Star Mile moved between key Melbourne venues and mirrored Japan's Arima Kinen by letting the public choose their top pick.Changes were implemented in later years, and Waller entered sparingly.Securing Group 1...
Mark Zahra backs Tentyris to overcome weight in Newmarket
Mark Zahra, the jockey, doesn't see the allocated weight for Tentyris as a barrier to the colt capturing the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.To win the Group 1 1200m event at Flemington on Saturday, Tentyris must replicate the weight record set by Ajax back in 1938.The 57kg impost matches what Fastnet...
Freedman eyes Ninja's mile potential in Randwick Guineas
Michael Freedman counts on Ninja getting forward in the run as an essential element boosting his shot at the Group One Randwick Guineas.Unlike key challengers Autumn Boy and Attica, who prefer to come from off the pace, Ninja showed his flexibility in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) by tracking the pacesetter...
Experienced Coal Crusher set for Newcastle Stakes challenge
If Coal Crusher maintains his strong connection with the Newcastle venue, he could provide Joe Pride with an excellent beginning to his weekend on a prominent regional racing occasion.On a quick six-day freshen-up from his Liverpool City Cup (1300m) defeat at Randwick, the gelding lines up in Friday's Group 3...
Rawiller's decision spotlights Lady Shenandoah's Canterbury Stakes bid
With Ciaron Maher readying Gringotts for his seasonal reappearance in the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick, another jockey has accidentally boosted the credentials of a prominent rival entrant.Nash Rawiller built an impressive alliance with Gringotts late in his previous campaign, notching successive wins in the Big Dance and The Gong.They were...