Christophe Lemaire confirmed he is more than up for the challenge of taking on Calandagan as the former Franch Cravache d'Or (Champion Jockey) winner gets ready to partner Masquerade Ball in Sunday’s Japan Cup.
The Gouvieux-born rider has continued to break records on the track in Japan and on Sunday will bid for a record-equalling fifth Japan Cup having already partnered Vodka to success in 2009, Almond Eye to victory in both 2018 and 2020, while Equinox produced a sensational performance to claim the prize two years ago.
Trainer Takahisa Tezuka revealed his slight concern about this season's impressive Tenno Sho winner stepping up to a mile and a half but there is no such worry from Lemaire, who believes the trip will be 'perfect' for the Japanese Derby (Tokyo Yūshun) runner-up.
Speaking at an event organised by the JRA, Lemaire said: "He was runner-up in the Derby this year and is an improving three-year-old.
"Of course, in the Japan Cup he will have a race against the older horses, but he's got plenty of talent and he's improving race after race.
"The trip will be perfect for him – a mile and a half. He won the Tenno Sho brilliantly over ten furlongs, he gave me a very good feeling so I'm quite confident of victory this year again."
Not only does the world's best racehorse, Calandagan, stand in their way, but Lemaire and Masquerade Ball will have to defy gate fifteen if they are to claim Japan Cup glory and despite being a four-time winner of the contest, Japan's leading rider is under no illusions of the task ahead of them
"It's hard to plan something in this race," explained Lemaire. "The first corner comes very quickly, so we have to take the start as quickly as we can and then try to judge the pace before making the right decisions at the right time."
On the prospect of taking on Calandagan, he said: "It is very exciting. For many years, we haven't had such a good horse in the Japan Cup. It will be very challenging for the Japanese contenders.
"He is one of the best horses in the world and it will be interesting to see him at Tokyo."
Lemaire became the first foreigner to take Japan's leading jockey title back in 2017 and proceeded to land the award for the following four seasons. He regained the title back in 2023 and after successfully defending it once more last year, the 46-year-old is undoubtably keen to land the prize for an eighth time as he continues to battle it out with Keita Tosaki.
He said: "It is a nice challenge. The motivation is at the top. It is always good to break records and always good to be Champion in your country. Until December 28, I will have to fight hard with Keita Tosaki. There are two other jockeys just behind who can get involved in the title, so it is very challenging and very exciting."
Should Lemaire return victorious on the unexposed three-year-old come Sunday afternoon, he would equal the legendary Yutaka Take's record of five wins in the prestigious contest.
"Yutaka Take is a legendary jockey here in Japan and all around the world," said Lemaire. "Five Japan Cups would be fantastic for me, of course but I don't want to focus on that particular number.
"I just want to focus on the horse, getting the best trip I can and winning the race."
