Done a little research. The grand dam was PORTILLO who raced up to 1609m. VAUJANY never raced but she was a full to GHISONI who was group placed in Australia in 2018 as well as LA PARVA who was a sprint handicapper in 2018/19. Going further back, PORTILLO's dam was SNOWDRIFT who, apart from SNIPPETSON, produced a full to that one in SNOWLAND who got to within six lengths of CHOISIR in 2003 and ended up winning the Galaxy on his final start. SNOWDRIFT hwerself raced once in France in 1996 and finished fifth in a Listed at Deauville. None of this suggests to me RETURN TO CONQUER will do much beyond a mile but I'll happily be proved wrong.

Up reasonably early for the Japan Cup in Tokyo.  Not quite the same view as @Alf Riston and it looked and sounded pretty full at Fuchu. Three European challengers took on the locals - GOLIATH, who had won the King George at Ascot on firm turf, AUGUSTE RODIN, possibly better at a fast run 2000m and the German raider FANTASTIC MOON. A dominant performance by DO DEUCE and it just makes you wonder how good EQUINOX was as DO DEUCE was six lengths behind that champion in last year's renewal. Nonetheless, Yutaka Take has learnt the old adage of there's no point getting older if you don't get wiser and he judged the pace of the race to perfection swooping from the rear early in the straight as the leaders flattened out and having enough to hold off the late challenge of SHIN EMPEROR. SHIN EMPEROR redeemed himself after a poor Arc run (ground unsuitable) and reversed Irish Champion places with AUGUSTE RODIN over the extra 400m. I'd love to see SHIN EMPEROR come for the King George next season and while DO DEUCE also floundered in the Paris mud in 2022 both could be very good in the European midsummer races. DUREZZA ran a huge race under William Buick to dead heat for second with SHIN EMPEROR. He's a former Japanese Leger winner so stamina wasn't going to be an issue. Buick was left to set his own fractions and it nearly worked. DUREZZA had finished 10 lengths behind CITY OF TROY in the Juddmonte at York but 2050m isn't his trip and he's another who could be a big problem for the European locals in the midsummer races. CERVINIA was close to the pace all the way but couldn't make the weight concession tell in the final 200m and finished fourth - if she strengthens through the winter she could be a serious horse next season but I imagine the paddocks are the more likely destination for this champion 3-y-o filly. JUSTIN PALACE got going too light and was beaten three lengths in fifth while GOLIATH did too much too early with Christophe Soumillon and didn't have anything left in the final 250m. AUGUSTE RODIN ran okay - I don't think, for all he has Group 1 form at the trip, he's really a 2400m horse especially in a strongly run race. He got away with it in a slowly-run Derby but against these strong runners he was found out in the final 400m and finished eighth, beaten four and a quarter lengths. He will now retire to stud. FANTASTIC MOON was never involved and finished eleventh of the fourteen runners.

Extremely jealous, Alf It's supposed to be one of the great racing experiences. I'll post the video over on my Northern Hemisphere thread. 

One swallow doesn’t make a summer Zakhu.

Couldn't agree any more. I don't bet on Perth races but when we watch them on a Saturday I find him an exceptionally accurate caller. I rate him in the best 2 in AUS and would love to see him in NSW and replace Flindell who is good but Darren is better.

I rest my case.

Congratulations J Mac. 2024 Longines Worlds Best Jockey.👏👏👏🥇🏆🌟

Even though my name is not Colin, that's probably a fair question. I'm only a small punter and probably watch live trackside on average 1/2 an hour per week so am not really equipped to comment. Not that any media remarks would influence my punting anyway. I'd be interested what others think about that though.

Thanks Alf, for your great update of your big day out in Tokyo. You were on the winner too as Do Deuce has just won!  Please give another update, post the event. 

The comments change quite a lot between when they are first posted and race day so it seems they are AI generated then updated by a "human".  Which makes it even worse that they are often so completely irrelevant and inaccurate. 

Fair enough, apparently he got 3 from 3. It would be the best few days he has been on in history. Nothing changes unless he can be even a wee bit consistent, but all the years we have seen his Trackside tips we know 😉  Incidentally Greg O'Connor picked 7 winners apparently. The Whale would have got the oil from him lols.

Yes, the amended version is available now. 

What about what he actually says Colin?  

Gee whiz guys, another day and another 3 whale winners.  I might have to start betting on his tips!  33:1 to anyone who multi'd all three after yesterday 50:1 success.  Havent looked at the Alex Park runners you guys mentioned but by all accounts those were successful too.

Skinner returned to the winner's circle for the first time since February 2023 with a gritty score in the $100,000 Native Diver Stakes (G3) Nov. 23 at Del Mar.View the full article

Cant recall anyone being suspended down there this century. If they have been they were unlucky😀

Speaking of a race callers nightmare...  https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1X5oq6m4ML/

34 years after being on-course to see Better Loosen Up take out the 1990 Japan Cup, I'm about to take the 65 minute train ride to Tokyo Racecourse and revisit the Japanese Racing experience. Interestingly, the 1990 Cup still holds the attendance record of 195,000, short of the 235,000 capacity, but still a huge crowd. I entered several stages of lotteries over the last 2 weeks to try and get stand tickets, but eventually landed with general admission which costs roughly 2 NZD.  It's a stunning Autumn day here so looking forward a great day out. I had dinner with friends in Osaka the other night and was tipped Do Deuce, so we will see ... For anyone interested in how the Japanese do racing , here's a great little video. https://youtu.be/7ahhV_m6sdU?si=9HgC5hBbvoymMKiq  

Massive run by Cognito after being one of those that were affected.

I thought exactly the same thing. What a recovery by Socks Nation from how it looked to be travelling upon straightening......until he stopped calling as the place getters were flying up the inside.