Australia’s Japanese feature race broadcaster Murray Johnson is both a fine racecaller and a pleasure to listen to.
However even his experience left him in no-man’s land when Japan’s Gr1 Sprinter’s Stakes favourite Gran Elegria came from the clouds on the weekend.
In shades of Chautaqua’s TJ Smith finish and Bill Collins suggesting Kingston Town couldn’t win from where he was in the Cox Plate, the 4YO Deep Impact mare motored home from a seemingly impossible position to catch the commentator out.
With just over 100m to go, Murray suggested it was a bridge too far for her to overcome, however not only did Gran Elegria find the front before the line arrived, she was an eye-popping 2-lengths clear when she passed the judge (see below).
Connections of runner-up Danon Smash would have gone home demoralised after looking like lifting the trophy in the closing stages.
Now the winner of six of her nine starts, Japan’s Champion 3YO filly of 2019 Gran Alegria is a three time Gr1 winner.
Her Tapit dam Tapitsfly won Belmont’s Gr1 Just a Game Stakes and Keeneland’s Gr1 First Lady Stakes.
