Lane rode top-flight winners during his overseas spell between April and June and he also guided Mer De Glace (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) to a pair of Group 3 middle distance victories in the Niigata Daishoten and the Hanshin Naruo Kinen.
While there, he planted the seed with trainer Hisashi Shimizu and connections to bring the 5-year-old to Australia and they took him seriously with a dream outcome fulfilled on Saturday when Mer De Glace trounced his rivals in the Melbourne-based jockey’s hands.
And it could get even better for Lane next weekend when he partners Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}), who he rode to win the G1 Takarazuka Kinen in June, in the G1 Cox Plate for trainer Yoshito Yahagi.
Mer De Glace’s Caulfield Cup triumph was achieved in sublime fashion and, after settling back in the field, began to go through his gears 700 metres from home and moved ominously into the race on the turn.
Damian Lane with trainer Hisashi Shimizu and Mer De Glace (Jpn) after their Caulfield Cup win
“He’s not much to look at, but he’s just a tradesman and keeps turning up and keeps winning,” Lane said. “Not many horses win five on the bounce in Japan because they’re not weight-for-age races so they go up steep every time.
“He’s not much to look at, but he’s just a tradesman and keeps turning up and keeps winning.” – Damian Lane.
“I’m just so rapt he’s done the job. I planted the seed the second time I won on him and the connections were really happy to come because it looked like he would get 53kg.
“Then he won again and it was questionable because he was going to go up to 55.5kg and I just begged them to come because I knew it was still a winnable weight.”
Mer De Glace was within shouting distance of the action on the home turn and when Lane asked him for the supreme effort the entire cut loose and was dominant over the closing 150 metres.
His trainer Shimizu is no stranger to Group 1 success with one of his best representatives Kitasan Black (Jpn) (Black Tide {Jpn}), a former Japan Horse of the Year. He won 12 of his 20 starts, including seven at Group 1 level.
Shimizu said he had concerns when Mer De Glace got so far back from a wide barrier, but had confidence in his rider and his charge.
“It’s a great feeling. I was a little bit worried but I had huge faith in the jockey and the horse and I believed in them.
“Damian Lane knows the horse so well and it’s been a great experience and I’m so happy to be here.”
“Damian Lane knows the horse so well and it’s been a great experience and I’m so happy to be here.” – Hisashi Shimizu.
A Japanese-bred stayer also made his mark at Randwick where the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Hush Writer (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) produced a strong performance off the front to win the Bentley St Leger S.
Mer De Glace is a daughter of Glacier Blue (Jpn) (Sunday Silence {USA}) and she is a half-sister to the black type winner Grass Bomber (Jpn) Machiavellian {USA}).
The dam is a half-sister to the G1 Middle Park S. winner and successful sire Zieten (USA) and to his G1 Newmarket Cheveley Park S. winning sister Blue Duster (USA).
Flemington trainer Danny O’Brien’s bold and unconventional approach, by Australian standards, with runner-up Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}) almost paid the ultimate dividend.
He presented the 4-year-old off the back of one lead-up run when fourth in the G1 Turnbull S. and a Caulfield Cup result that showcased O’Brien’s conditioning skills.
Mirage Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) kept in touch with the pace along the fence and he came on well for third ahead of Constantinople (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who also produced a bold showing in his Australian debut.
The well-backed Finche (GB) {GB}) drew poorly and paid the price, being caught three and four wide and near the speed and his effort to box on for fifth was commendable under the circumstances.
