By Masakazu Takahashi -
Noboru Takagi’s Ushba Tesoro could be back to defend his Dubai World Cup title in March after connections revealed a return to the Gulf is imminent for their stable star following the retention of his Grade 1 Tokyo Daishoten (Grand Prix) honour at Ohi in Japan last week.
Sent out red hot for the Tokyo Daishoten, the six-year-old full son of Orfevre was settled at the back of the field by Yuga Kawada to a pace set by his Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings Co Ltd teammate Wilson Tesoro, recently second behind Lemon Pop in the Grade 1 Champions Cup on December 3. Wilson Tesoro seemed in control of affairs at the helm of the field, with Duro Erede settled in second.
Ushba Tesoro kept gaining on the pair as he closed in from behind and with a 100m left to run there was still much to do, but Kawada perhaps knew he had enough horse under him and swooped in just in time to win by a half length from Wilson Tesoro, with Duro Erede holding on for third.
Takagi added: “He has been overseas twice, so I felt at ease watching him as he was in good shape. Since the pace wasn't high, he was in a back position, so I was worried about whether he would be able to reach the front at the home corner.
“However, in the end, he showed off his amazing turn of foot. All the runners were strong, but I'm glad he had a good race.
“If all goes well, I would like to go from the Saudi Cup to the Dubai World Cup next year. He will be seven years old, but I will do my best again, so please support us.”
Kawada said: “I'm glad that he could win safely. He is a very strong-willed horse and, above all, he won the Dubai World Cup in the spring, so I was hoping he could perform in a manner worthy of that performance. I was trying to keep the rhythm that he wanted to run at while taking care of him.
“I was confident and thought he would catch the leader, though I think Wilson Tesoro ran great as well.
“Ushba has lived up to everyone's expectations by winning this race in consecutive years. He will continue to be in training again next year, so I would like everyone to support him as he takes on the world challenge again.
