Calandagan aims to become the first European horse to win the Japan Cup in two decades at Tokyo this Sunday. This challenge is significant because the last time a European contender won was 20 years ago, highlighting how rare such victories have been for international runners.
The Japan Cup has historically seen strong participation from international horses, but European trainers have found winning difficult. This two-decade gap emphasizes the challenges posed by competing overseas, including travel, track conditions, and local competition.
Connections of Calandagan are optimistic about breaking this long-standing barrier. The horse's form and suitability for the Tokyo track make it a notable contender, suggesting it could potentially reverse the pattern of European near misses in the race.
"Calandagan has the talent and the conditions seem favorable, making this a very exciting prospect for European contenders," said one expert.
The attempt by Calandagan to end a 20-year European win drought in the Japan Cup highlights the difficulty of international success but also offers hope for a breakthrough.