Japanese raider Breakup ‘here to win both Cups, confident in both’

The latest Japanese raider to target our big Cups double gets his first look at the specially blacked-out tie-up stall that could be key to him winning the first leg at Caulfield on Saturday.

Japanese stayer Breakup gets his first look at Caulfield this morning. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos

Japanese trainer Tatsuya Yoshioka has launched a bold bid to complete a rare and historic Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double with Breakup.

Breakup, an $11 chance for the Caulfield Cup on Saturday, galloped on the course proper on Tuesday morning for the first time under jockey Damian Lane.

“We are here to win both Cups,” Yoshioka said through an interpreter on Tuesday.

“We’re pretty confident in both.”

• Japan form expert likens Breakup to Admire Rakti

New Zealand mare Ethereal is the last horse to complete the Cups double in 2001, while Might And Power achieved the feat in 1997.

Lane won the Caulfield Cup in 2019 with Mer De Glace, the second Japanese horse to win the race after Admire Rakti in 2014.

Breakup, a 2500m Group 2 winner at home, placed fourth in the Group 1 Tenno Sho (3200m), one of the biggest and most prestigious races in Japan, back in April.

🇯🇵 Breakup’s first look at the international wing of @MelbRacingClub 🐎stalls - special blacked out box for Cups raider @[e-mail]/pysbyJxMFx

— Gilbert Gardiner (@gilbertgardiner) October 17, 2023

Lane, a multiple Group 1 winner in Japan, endorsed Breakup’s credentials.

“I think looking at his form he’s going to prefer past 2400m… with the Melbourne Cup in mind they might be using this as a bit of a step race,” Lane said.

“That doesn’t mean he’s not good enough to win this as well, I would think his form suggests he’s even better past 2400m.”

Breakup has won five of 21 starts and more than $2m prizemoney.

“He’s raced at such a good level for so long it’s not easy to win the races he’s run in, probably that reflects in his winning strike rate a little bit,’ Lane said.

“He’s been racing at a higher level for a long while now.”

Japanese Caulfield Cup raider Breakup (Damian Lane) stretches out in trackwork at Caulfield this morning. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos

Breakup reminded Lane of Mer De Glace on Tuesday.

“He handled himself well, he was probably a touch casual on his own but worked through the line nicely,” Lane said.

“He changed legs well, he cornered well, and there should be no problem (track)… it wasn’t too dissimilar to the work Mer De Glace did before he won the Caulfield Cup.

“It’s not really much of a guide because they’re both casual customers… he has better form than what Mer De Glace had, although Mer De Glace was a horse coming through the ranks and won three or four in a row… he was untapped.

“Breakup is more what you see, the form you’re going to get. He’s probably achieved a little more, but Mer De Glace was on a more upward trajectory.”

🇯🇵Breakup trainer Tatsuya Yoshioka isn’t here to make up the numbers 🏆🏆👀 @[e-mail]/LINgR4uFFt

— Gilbert Gardiner (@gilbertgardiner) October 17, 2023

Yoshioka also compared the past Japanese Caulfield Cup winners to Breakup.

“They’re actually quite similar, Admire Rakti and Mer De Glace won Group races in Japan but just off winning Group 1,” Yoshioka said.

“Breakup is about a similar level, I’m not too sure how they handled Australian turf surface but we believe Breakup actually suits Australian grass really well.”

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Meanwhile, Breakup has a special padded and blacked out race day tie-up stall at Caulfield to help the six-year-old settle around other horses.

“I’m told once he gets around other horses he gets quite boisterous and rowdy, he’s still an entire and wants to let everyone know,” Lane said.

“I think come Saturday, amongst other horses he may be different… but once he’s on the racetrack he’s a professional.”

Yoshioka thanked the Melbourne Racing Club for its support.

“He can be a bit colty, very reactive to other horses, that’s the reason we set up the race day stall like that for him,” Yoshioka said.

“We really appreciate the support from Melbourne Racing Club, they’ve been helpful and supportive for the horse.”

Originally published as Japanese raider Breakup ‘here to win both Cups, confident in both’