This article provides a one-week-out workout evaluation for the 2025 Japan Cup (G1), a 2400m turf race to be held at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
A total of 19 horses are entered, and this article evaluates the workouts of the 17 runners whose gallop footage was available.
- Calandagan
- Strove
Grade A
”Tastiera”moved with his usual smooth rhythm, showing his characteristic quick-stride action without any early tension. For a one-week-out workout, He was notably relaxed, yet his motion carried a clear sense of strength and stability. While Danon Beluga was being urged along on the inside, Tastiera maintained a composed expression and drew one length ahead. He appears to be building positive momentum heading into his final workout.
Grade B+
”Shin Emperor”broke into his work with strong intent from the outset, carrying enough speed in the stretch to nearly run down the horse in front. He sharply angled inside when asked and stopped the clock with a fast time. Although his finishing kick did fade late, the “raw, powerful aggression” in his action was unmistakable. This is a piece of work that deserves a positive mark.
Other Key Runners
”Croix du Nord”is usually a horse that makes very few unnecessary movements, but on this day he changed leads several times, lifted his upper body, and even appeared to apply the brakes mid-stride. Failing to catch his workmate and finishing behind is a negative point. That said, the splits he recorded were strong, and it will be interesting to see how much he can correct in his final workout.”Danon Desail”carried good weight into his work and showed plenty of speed from the outset, but once he drew alongside his workmate, his momentum softened and he ended up a length behind ”Mikki Gorgeous”. The rival rider even glanced back, which makes the effort a touch concerning. Still, the workload itself was solidly applied.
”Ho O Biscuits”settled early and finished his work with a late stretch of energy. Without being urged, he followed a horse in front and moved in a way that suggested a deliberate stretching-intended exercise, using his limbs generously. His action was smooth overall, and this raises expectations for his final workout.”Admire Terra”could use a touch more sharpness, but he caught the ground firmly with each stride and extended well, finishing a length ahead of his inside partner. For his current stage of development, this was a solid and dependable piece of work.
”Deep Monster”moved in a relaxed manner, having taken the edge off just enough. While the range of motion in his limbs was fairly ordinary, he compensated with the spring in his hindquarters. His final workout is expected to be light, and the key point to watch will be whether he continues to settle and travel smoothly.”Justin Palace”was paired with Cristian Demuro, who used the workout to check the horse’s responsiveness. The rhythm wasn’t entirely consistent, but he worked closely with the seasoned open-class horse ”Shadow Fury”, successfully drawing out Justin Palace’s trademark fighting spirit. It was a positive piece of work.
”Durezza”showed solid intent from the outset, but his late acceleration was flatter than expected.Given that he is usually capable of sustaining a more powerful, “growling” stride, it feels like he still has another gear to find.How much he can sharpen up in his final workout will be a key point to watch.”Brave Veuve”began with an elegant, fluent action, but in the latter stages she struggled to take a firm hold of the bit—perhaps a sign of late-work fatigue—and only managed to finish level with her lower-class partner after being pressured.Even so, the overall tone of her work was not negative, and there is room for improvement heading into the final workout.
“Masquerade Ball”didn’t quite shift up a gear even when asked with a single tap of the whip, and ended up a neck behind an older Class 2 rival. The overall movement could use another notch of power, but he still managed to record solid times. We’ll be watching closely to see how much he sharpens up in his final workout next week.”Sunrise Earth”showed very little neck use and ran almost entirely from his hindquarters, yet his kick remained powerful and energetic. His form is somewhat unbalanced, but he compensated with sheer strength, and that part of the work deserves credit.
Make sure to check the horse’s final workout.
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