Righteous Ruby, owned by businessman-sportsman and top breeder Joseph Dyhengco, took sweet revenge on its rival Shastaloo with a length victory in the P1-million 2023 Philracom Japan Cup held at the Metro Manila Turf Club.
The two top imported runners in the land have been making waves among racing aficionados after Shastaloo won the Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco Cup two months ago and Righteous Ruby emerged victorious in another recent bout. Fans are now urging for a match race between the two protagonists.
Time For Glory came in third, and Take A Chance in fourth, with a time of 1:51.2 and clips of 13′-22′-24′-24′-27′. On hand for the awards presentation were Miyamoto Yuichiro, Japan Racing Association Chief Representative, and Ota Keisuke, another representative of the JRA.
In the other major event of the day, Melaine Habla’s Brigand, this time out of Missliyev, has produced yet another champion in Going East. The bay three-year-old broke her maiden in style, securing the P1.2-million 2023 Philracom Maiden Stakes.
Renato “Egoy” Hipolito-trained, and Kelvin Abobo-mounted filly, went head-to-head with the quick-footed Sandigan (Cat Brulay-Heyday) throughout the race, setting rapid early fractions of 13′-22-22′. This was too much for Sandigan to handle, leaving Going East on her own when she was in the clear. She crossed the wire with a final quarter of 27′, for a total time of 1:25.8 for the 1400-meter journey. This was about four lengths clear of second place Domsat Seven, and third place finisher Diversity. Sandigan just managed to place fourth.
“Congratulations to our winners of today’s stakes races! The Japan Cup is part of the exchange of races between the Philippines and Japan, where a Philippine Cup will also be held sometime in the middle of this year. We at the Commission thank Mr. Yuichiro and Mr. Keisuke for gracing this momentous occasion,” said Philracom Chairman Reli de Leon.
The match race between Righteous Ruby and Shastaloo is really being considered, De Leon continued, “For the racing fans, thank you for your support in today’s events.”