[Saudi Cup Official Release] Lemon Pop (USA) holds a special place in the heart of Makoto Tabata, a man whose route to becoming the assistant trainer of one of the biggest contenders for Saturday’s US$20m The Saudi Cup has been an unconventional one.
The big chestnut was recently given the Japan Racing Association’s award for best dirt horse of 2023 and Tabata has been part of his story every step of the way.
He has been working for the JRA for 18 years, becoming a big fan of horse racing when he was a teenager and starting to ride in the equestrian club of his university.
Initially engaged as a racing journalist at Oi Racecourse he then moved to Hokkaido, Japan’s biggest breeding area, to work among the training staff at Big Red Farm, where stallions including Gold Ship and Benbatl are now standing.
Tabata then began to work at the JRA Miho training centre and when, in 2018, young trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka opened his yard, Tabata became a member of the team. He came upon another turning point in his life in 2020, meeting a very strong 2-year-old colt named Lemon Pop.
"He had strong hind-quarters even at two, looking like volley balls in his hips," Tabata recalled.
"When I rode him, his back was so flexible. I thought I was sitting on a very rich and comfortable cushion!"
During Lemon Pop’s stellar campaign for the last four years, he became the fourth horse to win both the JRA’s championship dirt races in the same season.
"In his wonderful career, the two biggest memories I have with him were an allowance race on his return from a year layoff in 2021, in which he finished second but it was just thrilling he was coming back to racing, then the local Grade 1 Mile Championship Nambu Hai last October.
"He proved his class again, putting his disappointing Golden Shaheen run behind him by leading all the way to finish by a distance."
After that record margin win, Lemon Pop encountered 1800m for the first time in December’s Champions Cup at Chukyo, confirming his star status as a dirt champion by a length and a quarter from Wilson Tesoro.
Since he has arrived at King Abdulaziz racecourse, he has been training well.
"Having a good friend Ushba Tesoro with him from home, he has been very relaxed and getting used to the new surroundings here," Tabata said. "They both enjoy picking grass together.
"This is his first race up in the season and that must be a big advantage for him as he had a tight schedule in Dubai last year."
Tabata, given his former position, is happy to be in this particular role.
"I used to be a media person, so I am very excited to have interviews anytime!" he said.
"Lemon Pop is in great form with a perfect preparation. I understand it will be a very competitive, against all the top dirt horses from the world and the pace is expected to be high, but I believe he is going to run his race."
(22/2/2024)
Comentarios