Trip To Paris will make eleventh start of the calendar year at Tokyo on Sunday as he lines up for a tilt at the Japan Cup, his first start in Group One weight-for-age company over a mile and a half.
The progressive four-year-old, who won the Gold Cup in June, comes off the back of two outstanding runs during the Melbourne Spring Carnival. He finished runner-up in the Caulfield Cup before running fourth in the Melbourne Cup, a race in which he lost a shoe and was struck into above his hock.
Having made a full recovery from that minor setback, TTP returned to form particularly quickly and he will face 17 rivals in the early hours. They include hot favourite Lovely Day, who goes in search of a five-timer, and the mercurial local favourite Gold Ship.
Three fellow international raiders are seeking to break the local stranglehold on the race, including Grand Prix de Paris winner and Arc fifth Erupt.
TTP completed his final blowout on Friday morning under the supervision of Ed who, alongside Becky, arrived in Tokyo shortly before exercise got underway. He will once again be partnered by Tommy Berry and the race is due off at 6.40am UK time, with AtTheRaces showing the contest live.
For Ed’s final thoughts on the race, click on the following link: http://japanracing.jp/_news2015/151128-02.html
Meanwhile, we have posted a selection of photos taken over the last couple of days.