Deep Brilliante: Japanese Derby winner is a 20-1 shot for the King George
PICTURE: Masakazu TakahashiDeep Brillante's jockey to get early taste of Ascot
JAPANESE star Yasunari Iwata, in Britain to ride Deep Brillante in the Betfair King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, will get some match practice at Ascot courtesy of Clive Brittain.
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Iwata, who rode in the Shergar Cup two years ago, will ride two horses for Brittain before the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner takes his chance in the midsummer showpiece.
Iwata rides the two-year-old Shafaani, a daughter of Green Desert, in a fillies' maiden on Friday's card and then partners Miblish in a 1m handicap on Saturday.
Brittain has been housing Deep Brillante, a 20-1 chance for the King George, at his Carlburg stables in Newmarket.
"This is my way of giving them something back so we've given them stables and a lead horse," said Brittain, who saddled Jupiter Island to win the 1986 Japan Cup. "I have been to Japan six or seven times and never had to put my hand into my pocket."
Deep Brillante is a son of the legendary Deep Impact, who was the Racing Post ratings world champion as a four-year-old in 2006. He is now the nation's leading sire.
Brittain has been impressed with his temporary Japanese inmate. "I think he's a very, very nice horse," he said. "I don't know what he'll make of Ascot as it's a bit different from what he's used to but believe me, he'll be well prepared."
Iwata, who won the Melbourne Cup on Delta Blues in 2006, is eagerly anticipating his return to Ascot. "There was a 12-furlong race at the Shergar Cup when I rode there two years ago so I have the course experience which I hope will be a big advantage for me," said Iwata, speaking outside Brittain's yard on Thursday morning.
"I'm confident I have improved as a jockey since the Shergar Cup and I want to show what I can do in the King George. We're here to win!"
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