Interesting to see the nomination fee is “ free of charge”.There’s another thing you won’t see over here.

If you noticed when you scroll down, there's a very tasty bonus in place for winners of international races who go on to win the Japan Cup.  3 million USD plus the winner's share of the purse, so if you want international interest they have the right idea.  Big money.   No nickel and dime stuff as you pointed out.

The field looks to be set:

https://www.racingpost.com/racecards/315/tokyo/2022-11-27/827667/at-a-glance

4th and below receive $200,000 U S D That's a wow S/be the elite of the elite !

,000,000 USD
	1,200,000 USD
	750,000 USD
	200,000 USD

The winners of the races designated for the aforementioned bonus system which are held after the closing date of the nomination and those horses deemed equivalent may be considered by the JRA Selection Committee as nominated horses.

Japan's purses are the best in the world, day in and day out. as well.

The 15, Shahryar looks interesting in here.  His prep over the same course on 10/22 looked lackluster at a mile and a quarter but he will improve stretching out to his preferred 12 furlongs.  Won at  12 furlongs in Meydan earlier this year in a fast time over historicals and beat some of these.  

Ran 3rd in last years Japan Cup at 3 years old and should be better at 4.  Jock is familiar and along for 4th ride in a row.   A little too short at 3/1 to take as a win bet. 

I like him, though.  He looks ready.

When I get time I'll check him out. 

If a entrant qualifies for the Bonus and comes in Last Is the $200,000 in addition to the regular payoff for the placement!

They pay for regular placements from the winner down to 10th place only.  But they pay the 200kUSD from 4th through last place.   

Did you also see they pay for travel and stay?  5 days if I remember correctly.

The JRA is a classy operation from top to bottom and it shows in the racing product as well as the breeding end of the business, where they excel.

When you say they and the JRA is a classy operation  I would hope the deep pockets and the Rulers  here would take a deep

look into their model and quit throwing millions at 1f workouts.

I see some places are spinning the Foreign invaders have the best shot in years to win this race

without Titleholder, Do Deuce, and Equinox some of Japans best not entered.

Are these Foreign Invaders the best of the Worlds crop or are the spinners missing this part.

We'll see.  I think the Racing Post Ratings are biased in favor of the Euros.  They may be overrated on the figs and despite the best of the best not competing from the Japanese contingent, it looks to be a competitive group anyway.

This is, by no means, an easy race to handicap, IMO, to say the least.

This is a good thread, thanks for starting it, I don't get why more on here don't put their 2 cents worth

on the world stage some prefer over North America racing , I prefer elite racing no matter where it is

and I have been having a lot on my table and its hard for me to put more time on the elite racing I prefer.

This is a good of place as any to share your elite racing you prefer , I would like to see more giving you the

support you deserve on here. 

518 members ,not long a go we had 100 members, Lurkers no input.

I appreciate the thought. my friend. but the international scene has always been slow going as long as I've been posting with Cindy and Tex.  So, 2007.

Harness is slower still.  I used to go at night to the Meadowlands from AQU for a double header.  That's when I was really going.  I'd go to Gulfstream over the winter for a couple of weeks and do Pompano at night.  Loved it

Tex and Cindy both like the international sport.  There are others who chime in from time to time.

I just enjoy putting it out there in case someone wants to try something different from the US game.

Winter keeps up.  Gerh, Plus 2, pianot...you.  

It's all good.  Every day is a gift.