The Japanese trainer hoping local knowledge can end nation's Arc agony

Japanese trainer Katsuhiko Sumii hopes three years spent gaining experience of French racing will stand him in good stead as he puts the finishing touches to Kiseki ahead of Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

The 69-year-old's previous best in Europe's richest race came when future Dubai World Cup winner Victoire Pisa finished seventh behind Workforce in the 2010 Arc, but Sumii says he has gone to great lengths to improve his understanding of what it might take to improve on that effort.

Speaking to both Japanese and local press in Chantilly on Wednesday, Sumii said: "The first time I came to France I asked a lot of local experts for advice and help.

"For the last three years I have been coming to France regularly, spending a total of three months a year here. I now feel more and more I am in position to train a horse here.

"It's a great honour and to participate in this race as well as a joy for me to take up the challenge. I learn more everyday in terms of the difficulties that this race presents."

Mirco Demuro wins the 2011 Dubai World Cup on Victoire PisaCredit: Andrew Watkins/Dubai Racing Club

Kiseki is a 40-1 shot for the one race that tantalises Japanese horseman above all yet one look at Sumii's record with travelling horses shows he should not be taken lightly.

In 2005 Cesario landed the American Oaks at Hollywood Park, becoming the first Japanese horse to triumph in a US Grade 1. Just a year later, Sumii made history when Delta Blues bettered stablemate Pop Rock by a short head, securing Japan's first Melbourne Cup.

Five years later, Sumii trained Victoire Pisa to a famous victory in the Dubai World Cup at Meydan, a first win in the world's richest race for Japan five months after the colt's failed bid in Paris

Sporting a freshly-minted jacket commemorating a 92-1 success in this year's Japanese Derby with Roger Barrows, Sumii looked forward to Kiseki's bid for history on Sunday, and said: "He seems in good physical shape to me and while I haven't seen all of Kiseki's work in France, my staff and Christophe have been pleased and I trust their judgement."

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