Having some light success in Dubai with a fourth and seventh in the 2008 and 2009 Dubai Duty Free (G1), Vodka landed Japan’s most internationally acclaimed race, the 12 furlong Japan Cup (G1) by the slimmest of margins. Japan’s super mare was also fifth in the 2009 Jebel Hatta (G2), a local Dubai prep for the Duty Free. Under Christophe Lemaire, the 5-year-old daughter of Tanino Gimlet led alone in deep stretch but was laboring under the distance and a furious late charge from Oken Bruce Lee fell just short.
“At the post, I thought we had won, but just after the post, I wasn’t so sure. Those last 100 meters were so long,” Lemaire said after the race. “I know she has a lot of fans and a lot of support, she is a fantastic horse and deserves to win this race. I am very happy for all of her fans. She has courage.”
Conduit, dual winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) was a valid fourth, the best finish of the five international contenders, before he enters stud in Japan. Marsh Side, fifth home in the 2009 Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), was a lackluster 17th in the 18 horse field.