Murtagh and Golan on a Tokyo mission

Lydia Hislop13 April 2012

Johnny Murtagh bids this Sunday to become the third jockey in six years to land the £2.75 million Japan Cup for internationally successful trainer, Sir Michael Stoute.

The partnership, tinged by controversy, could be a sign of things to come in Britain's 2002 Flat season.

Golan is the horse bidding to add to the Freemason Lodge handler's Far Eastern haul. The 12-furlong Group One event was won by Stoute-trained duo, Singspiel in 1996 and Pilsudski the following year, when respectively ridden by Frankie Dettori and Mick Kinane.

Murtagh's booking marks the end of Kieren Fallon's tenure as stable jockey to Stoute. His retainer was not renewed last month, despite his brave comeback from career-threatening injury to win his fourth jockeys' title this season. The split remains shrouded in mystery. Stoute has only revealed some of his owners preferred Fallon not to ride their horses, but suggested a freelance association would continue.

Sunday's riding arrangements infers that Golan's owner, Lord Weinstock, was among those disgruntled with Fallon, despite the combination's Group One victories Newmarket's 2,000 Guineas in May and Longchamp's Prix Niel in September. Pilsudski carried his silks at the Tokyo track four years ago.

Murtagh enjoyed much success for Stoute during the latter part of 2000 when Fallon was injured, partnering the likes of Kalanisi, Petrushka and Daliapour. Although insisting he will remain attached to Irish trainer John Oxx's yard next year, he could be first choice for Stoute when available.

Fallon is without a ride in the Japan Cup or its supporting £1.43 Dirt event, preventing him from advertising his abilities to local racegoers prior to beginning his shortterm contract with the prominent Fujisawa stable.

Golan, who retires to Coolmore Stud after this race, is reportedly working well. He's third favourite behind T M Opera and Meisho Doto - first and second in that order in last year's renewal - and will fare better on this faster surface than when testing ground exposed stamina flaws in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

But the favourite is well placed to become the first horse to record back-to-back victories in this prestigious event.

Betting on the Japan Cup: Coral - 2 T M Opera, 5 Mesiho Doto, 6 Golan, 9 Jungle Pocket, 10 Paolini (from 12-1), Timboroa, Stay Gold, 12 To The Victory, 16 With Anticipation, 20 bar.

William Hill - 7-4 T M Opera, 5 Meisho Doto, 7 Golan, 9 Stay Gold, 10 Jungle Pocket (from 14-1), 11 Timboroa, 12 To The Victory (from 10-1), With Anticipation (from 14-1), 14 Paolini, 16 bar.

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