Japan: Chuwa Wizard seeks repeat in Champions Cup
After a win in the Grade 1 Champions Cup on dirt at Chukyo Racecourse in Japan last December, Chuwa Wizard spent the early months of 2021 on the road in other parts of Asia.
Chuwa Wizard was ninth in the $20 million Saudi Cup at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in February, and a more encouraging second to the American-trained Mystic Guide in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates in March.
A 6-year-old horse, Chuwa Wizard is winless in two subsequent starts in Japan in recent months, but starts in Sunday’s $1.7 million Champions Cup at Chukyo Racecourse with an excellent chance to end 2021 with a win.
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Since the Saudi Cup, Chuwa Wizard was sixth in the Teio Sho Stakes at Ohi Racecourse in June, and an appealing third in the JCB Classic at 1 5/16 miles at Kanazawa Racecourse on Nov. 3. Both of those races are on dirt. Chuwa Wizard has a minor injury earlier this year, leaving trainer Ryuji Okubo encouraged by the recent third.
In the Champions Cup, Chuwa Wizard will be ridden by his regular rider, Keita Tosaki. Chuwa Wizard has won 10 of 22 starts.
The Champions Cup drew a full field of 16, with the intriguing presence of Sodashi, the 3-year-old white filly who was the champion 2-year-old filly of 2020. A winner of 6 of 8 starts, Sodashi will have her dirt debut in the Champions Cup after a year with mixed results.
Sodashi won the Grade 1 Japanese 1000 Guineas in April, but was eighth in the Japanese Oaks a month later. Sodashi won the Grade 2 Sapporo Kinen at 1 1/4 miles on Aug. 22, but was only 10th as the 9-10 favorite in the Group 1 Shuka Sho at 1 1/4 miles at Hanshin on Oct. 17, the final leg of Japan’s Triple Crown for 3-year-old fillies.
Trainer Naosuke Sugai told Japan Racing Association publicists earlier this week that he expects Sodashi to be near the front in the Champions Cup.
The field also includes Cafe Pharoah and Air Spinel, the first two finishers of the Grade 1 February Stakes at a mile on dirt earlier this year.
Post time for the Champions Cup is 1:30 a.m. Eastern on Sunday, or 10:30 p.m. Pacific on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.