Owners made to feel like film stars as Japan rolls out the red carpet for Cup

Japanese-trained horses have dominated the country's biggest international race for most of the last two decades and it has been noticeable that Europan interest has ebbed and flowed during the Japan Cup drought that reaches back to Alkaased getting the tightest verdict over Heart's Cry in 2005.

Much has been written about the new quarantine facilities and increased prize-money brought in to lure back the visitors. But what money doesn't always buy is the soft power of a red-carpet welcome.

Talk to any of the people travelling with Onesto, Grand Glory, Simca Mille and Tunnes for this weekend's race and they will bear unanimous witness. If any had felt not entirely in the Japan Cup mood before now, Friday's lavish party in one of Tokyo's most exclusive hotels will have quickly cured that.