Fukunaga declares Diamond Knot ready for NHK Mile Cup assignment
Yuga Kawada will attempt to notch a record-equalling third victory in the JPY283.1 million Group 1 NHK Mile Cup (1600m) when the revered jockey partners Diamond Knot at Tokyo Racecourse, Japan on Sunday.
One of the most decorated jockeys in Japan after feature race victories on Loves Only You, Liberty Island, Lei Papale, Gentildonna and Makahiki, Kawada has two wins to his credit in the NHK Mile Cup – Danon Scorpion (2022) and Jantar Mantar (2024) – and needs one more win in the race to draw level with Yutaka Take, who triumphed on Seeking The Pearl (1997), Kurofune (2001) and Logic (2006).
Diamond Knot missed Group 1 glory when he finished second to Cavallerizzo in the Group 1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (1600m) on yielding ground at Hanshin on December 21 under Christophe Lemaire before reuniting with Kawada and powering to victory in the Group 3 Falcon Stakes (1400m) at Chukyo on March 21.
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Trainer Yuichi Fukunaga believes Diamond Knot, a flashy chestnut by Bricks And Mortar, is poised to deliver at the highest level after his impressive last-start performance.
“He did well when leading for most of the way in the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, so I wanted to try him over 1400 metres. He was serious in that race, and as tough as it was, he did well to win. It sets him up nicely before this next Group 1,” Fukunaga said.
Cavallerizzo disappointed in the Group 1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas, 2000m) when 13th under Damian Lane and will be ridden this weekend by Atsuya Nishimura, while Lane switches to Rodeo Drive and attempts to become the first Australian jockey to win the race since Craig Williams won the NHK Mile Cup aboard Grand Prix Boss in 2011.
Rodeo Drive finished second to Reservation in a key lead-up race – the Group 2 New Zealand Trophy (1600m) at Nakayama on April 11 – and trainer Tetsuhide Tsuji is confident the Saturnalia colt will be better suited to Tokyo’s left-handed course.
“He didn’t change leads smoothly in the New Zealand Trophy, and it was the same in training, so I feel some responsibility for that,” Tsuji said. “He also hung in his last race, and he’s still immature, but I think he’ll be better racing left-handed.”
Ask Ikigomi is unbeaten after landing another of the principal preparatory races, the Group 3 Churchill Downs Cup (1600m) at Hanshin on April 4. He will be ridden by Keita Tosaki and is also considered one of the leading chances, along with Reservation and Admire Quads.
Reservation’s trainer Takeshi Matsushita said: “He just settled in behind the leader last time, but found a good rhythm and ran on well at the finish to win. He seems to like cut in the ground, and is suited to a mile.”
Reservation has had three starts at 1600m for two wins and a second and will be ridden by Yusuke Hara, who is bidding for his first Group 1 success.
