Kohei Matsuyama?s winning percentage is still running high this year. The Japanese legendary jockey is already touching his success graph set by himself in the 2020-21 season. R7 Lexus Melbourne Cup is the latest endeavor in Kohei?s list to keep records straight.?

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The Kaneo Ikezoe-trained jockey has been taking part in races since the 2014-15 season. Meanwhile, he won Grade 1 races five times and fans? hearts a zillionth. However, the latest Melbourne Cup is going to be a different experience. The man himself has spoken about that. Since then, the racing community could not ask for a better surprise.?

Kohei Matsuyama is cherishing every moment in the Melbourne Cup? ???

Before stepping into the 2023-24 season, Kohei had been throwing challenges at himself. This year, he has bonded with the trainer Tatsuya Yoshioka and is having his fair share of glory on tracks. The Japanese pair?s latest endeavor is set to be the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday of November this year. The mammoth task has not deterred the Jockey at all. He seems to be enjoying his voyage while keeping his guard on.??

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The Melbourne Cup is going to be Kohei?s first riding experience in Australia. Kohei?s team manager, Kosi Kawakami(@kosi0924) was the first one to shed light on that through a heartfelt post in Japanese on X. The World Horse Racing?s X handle(@WHR) did not let go of the auspicious tributary chance. They came up with a touching caption, sharing the post, ?Kohei Matsuyama has never ridden in Australia before! The five-time G1 winner takes a walk around Flemington ahead of riding BREAKUP in the Melbourne Cup tomorrow?. ?

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The bumpy road to the competition

The last time a Japanese horse danced down to the trophy of the Melbourne Cup was back in 2007. The Delta Blue was to take all the glory in his name. But this time, the trio of BREAKUP, Tatsuya Yoshioka, and Kohei Matsuyama are there to rewrite the history. It is going to be the second outing for BREAKUP after the Cauliflower Cup to taste the air of the Australian race track.?

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Read more: Viral Video Captures Scary Incident of 2-Year-Old Filly Involved in Dramatic Scene at Popular Equestrian Racecourse

On the other hand, Tatsuya?s recent form since Group 2 winning stint in Tokyo last year is another booster. Last but not least, Kohei?s recent stellar run is something to watch out for. Would these factors be not enough to align the stars? Only November 6 could answer this. However, the best odd fluctuation has already started to take sides of the stated trio.????

Watch this story: Longtime Billion-Dollar Sponsor Ends 40-year-Old Support Of International Equestrian Event

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Prasun Chakrabarty

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Prasun Chakrabarty is a Senior Writer in the Olympic Sports division at EssentiallySports, where he covers track and field, gymnastics, swimming, and other Olympic disciplines. A seasoned journalist with three years at the company, Prasun's extensive knowledge and passion for track and field were evident from day one. With years of connections and research already established, he brought a unique edge to the ES Insights and Trends Desk. He has since become a key voice in the company's Olympic sports coverage. His star coverage includes World Athletics Indoor Championships, USATF Outdoor Championships, and reporting live from the U.S. Marathon Trials. His expertise earned him a special invitation from the Paris City Council to cover lead-up events ahead of the 2024 Olympics. Over time, his stories have sparked real-world impact. His piece on athlete mental toughness drew praise from Texas Volleyball head coach Jerritt Elliott, while a feature on winter sports caught the attention of Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn, who engaged with it publicly. His reporting has made its way into Wikipedia, where editors have cited his work as a trusted source on Olympic sports. Being an alum of the Journalistic Excellence Program (JEP) and an active member of the ES Think Tank, he’s part of the team driving the site’s long-term coverage strategy.

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Sampurna Pal