All Gong has work cut out in Japan

All Gong faces a daunting task against a top-notch international field of 16 in Japan on Saturday in the $1.3 million Nakayama Grand Jump, a 2 5/8-mile Grade 1 steeplechase.

Winless since taking the Breeders' Cup Steeplechase in October 2000, All Gong, trained by Bruce Miller, must contend with the locally trained two-time defending champ Gokai, as well as New Zealand invader Rand, winner of the Iroquois Hurdle at Percy Warner last May. From Britain comes Banker Court, winner of the 2001 Ascot Chase, and France is represented by Ty Benjam, winner of the 2001 Grand Steeple-Chase d'Enghien. Blythe Miller will ride All Gong, the 2000 Eclipse Award winner as best American jumper, who was second in four graded jump races last year.