The team at Luxbet probably had hearts in mouths when it looked as if popular Aussie hoop Craig Williams may snatch the Grade 1 $6.5m 2011 Japan Cup half way up the straight.
Williams aboard Luxbet $6.50 chance Tosden Jordan was nabbed by Buena Vista, the 2011 Japan Cup winner close to the line.
Tosen Jordan had been backed in from $8 with Luxbet but those looking outside the Aussie connection could have easily landed on Buena Vista, the darling of the Japanese turf.
It was the $4.80 Luxbet second pick behind the Arc winner Danedream $3.50 favourite.
Williams had Tosen Jordan second on the fence after 400m without having used much petrol from gate 16.
His Yasutoshi Ikee-trained mount settled nicely and followed the US galloper Mission Approved Luxbet $101 for much of the 2011 Japan Cup.
Buena Vista, from barrier 2, settled sixth on the fence with Jaguar Mail Luxbet $41, following.
German mare Danedream settled midfield with cover and travelled well.
The first serious 2011 Japan Cup move came from Win Variation Luxbet $21 who joined Mission Approved in front at the 800m.
Williams pulled Tosen Jordan out at the top of the straight and Buena Vista’s jockey Yasnuori Iwata followed the Aussie.
Jaguar Mail was momentarily blocked in the straight but couldn’t sprint quickly enough once clear.
What he lacked, the five-year-old mare Buena Vista didn’t.
She popped her head in front 50m from the line and held off Tosen Jordan who fought again.
Buena Vista defeated Tosen Jordan by a head with Jaguar Mail two lengths away third.
Trailblazer Luxbet $31, a stablemate to Tosen Jordan, finished fourth.
Danedream turned in a great run.
She got shuffled back and was third last and widest entering the straight.
She did well to finish sixth in a field of 16 just behind Win Variation.
The Hiroyoshi Matsuda-trained Buena Vista’s made it a sixth Grade 1 win.
The race proved to be a triumph for the Japanese with the first five placegetters locally trained.
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