Karasi tries for Nippon triple

Brad Kingsbury
CHAMPION Officertrained jumper Karasi has jetted to Japan in a bid to become the firstever horse to win the world’s richest jumps race, the Nakayama Grand Jump, for the third time in a row.
The 12yearold gelding brought his career earnings to more than $2.7 million when he triumphed in the 2006 race over 4250 metres and has been set specifically for this year’s classic since returning from Japan last year.
The $1.9 million event is one of the greatest tests of both horse and jockey in the world and only open to horses invited to take part by the Japan Racing Club.
Karasi has earned cult status in Japan after consecutive victories in the race and trainer Eric Musgrove was issued with an invitation to return with his stable star immediately after last year’s race.
Musgrove also sent Karasi’s stablemate Personal Drum to Japan and both will line up in the main leadup event, the Pegusus Steeplechase, before progressing to the Nakayama Grand Jump a fortnight later.
Leading Australian jumps jockey Brett Scott will fly to Japan in an attempt to continue his successful association with Karasi.