All systems go for Calandagan’s ‘technically challenging’ Japan trip

Calandagan appears fully on track for the Japan Cup, after it was confirmed he was the last European contender left standing for the Tokyo showpiece later this month.

The brilliant four-year-old has the chance to cap a phenomenal year for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard on November 30 and was due to be joined in the Far East by stablemate Goliath, as well as Aidan O’Brien’s pair of Los Angeles and Queenstown.

However, that latter trio have now cancelled their planned visits to Japan, leaving Calandagan – who came through his second-last piece of work before the trip with flying colours on Wednesday morning – the only raider set to line-up in this year’s race.

Nemone Routh, French racing manager for owners the Aga Khan Studs, said: “He worked this morning on the Polytrack at Chantilly and we were very happy with him. Mickael Barzalona rode him and was very impressed, he’s always very professional in a morning, relaxed and moves well.

“It wasn’t a hard piece of work and we never test him too much, even though we did have that gallop with Daryz before the Arc – we didn’t realise Daryz was going to win the Arc anyway after that and they did finish upsides!

“He has one more hoop to jump through, which is his last piece of work next week, and if all goes to plan he will then take his flight and ship to Japan.”

It has been a coming-of-age season for Calandagan, who was a Royal Ascot winner and chased home City Of Troy at three but has flourished into an elite Group One performer this term.

After finishing second in a host of the calendar’s top events, he broke his top-level duck in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, before firmly shirking the bridesmaid tag with back-to-back Ascot victories in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Champion Stakes.

He will now bid to become the first European winner of the Japan Cup since Luca Cumani’s Alkaased 20 years ago and only second French-trained winner after Le Glorieux in 1987, with connections respectful of the task that will be at hand.

Routh added: “It’s a difficult trip and we’re under no illusions, but he is a top-class horse and has proved that this year.

“The trip is quite technically challenging and it’s a long flight and they get there a long time in advance and have to go through quarantine, so there are a few challenges.

“It is not as straightforward as some of the other trips that you can do, but he did prove to us when he went to Dubai in the spring – and this is twice as long – that he’s OK with the travel and I think if there is any horse you can do this with then it is him.

“It’s a big ask, especially because as a European at the end of the year it’s tough to travel that far. But he’s a horse we’re lucky with, as he’s not a big, strong horse who requires a huge amount of work and is very straightforward and professional.

“We’re giving it a good go and trying to put everything in his favour to run well. It’s a challenge and we’ll see how he gets on.”