Racing is strictly controlled and serious defeats are taken at the same level as serious victories.
Japanese racing saw its three fancied runners failing in the recent Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris as a huge hit.
Which is why remarkable store is being placed in Bande and Admire Rakti in two of Australia's biggest races.
Naohiro Goda, a Japanese racing commentator, told Australian journalists their industry was now "placing huge emphasis" on Bande in the Caulfield Cup on Saturday and Admire Rakti in the Melbourne Cup.
Bande is second favourite for the Caulfield Cup behind Lucia Valentina and Admire Rakti favourite for the Melbourne Cup.
"We were terribly upset with what happened in France so we are placing the two horses down in Australia under a fair amount of pressure, but we have a strong belief that both of them will be horses that will go very close to winning," said Goda.
The Japanese do their homework as a united industry.
"We have looked at the Caulfield racecourse and more importantly the track, and we think Bande will relish it because it's designed basically for front-running stayers.
"And in contrast, at Flemington a few weeks later Admire Rakti will be suited by the long stretches as he often needs to get his huge stride in rhythm and that's what Flemington will allow him to do."
The Japanese racing industry is arranging for a live telecast of the Melbourne Cup, as the two horses' arrival in Australia has gathered considerable momentum in the media.
"We are hearing daily reports," Goda said. "The media are taking more and more interest in what's happening in Australia, but what's more important is that our owners and trainers will be examining the performances of Bande and Admire Rakti and if they're positive ones Australia will be very much a target country for us.
"It's not only your Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, it's races like the Cox Plate and Mackinnon Stakes.
"There has been an amazing amount of interest across the board as trainers and owners look at October-November and think there is much to offer Downunder."
German trainer Andreas Wohler arrived in Australia on Sunday after his charge Protectionist finished an eye-catching fourth in the Herbert Power Hcp at Caulfield on Saturday, creating a rush to support him ahead of the Flemington two-miler.
"No, I don't think he should be nearly favourite for the Melbourne Cup," he said. "It was a very good run and my staff said he's come through very well."
Wohler, no stranger to Australia, greatly respects Bande and Admire Rakti. "You can never forget the Japanese, they're highly rated and tough, strong stayers."
Probably the one single fact punters should remember is that it was back in 2006 when the Japanese were last able to take the Melbourne Cup seriously.
With two runners, Delta Blues won and Pop Rock finished second. The rest were hardly in sight.
Cup field: R9 5.40 Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup, 2400m. - Admire Rakti (8) 58; Dandino (22), Green Moon (6), Sea Moon (21) 57; Bande (10), The Offer (19), 56.5; Seismos (1) 56; Hawkspur (9), Junoob (15) 55.5; Moriarty (7), Who Shot Thebarman (16) 55; Dear Demi (13) 54.5; Stipulate (5) 54; Lidari (4) 53.5; Lucia Valentina (12), Rising Romance (17) 53; Big Memory (20), Gris Caro (3) 52. Emgs: Brambles (11) 53.5, Araldo (18) 53, Unchain My Heart (14), Renew (2) 52.
Market: $4.80 Lucia Valentina, $8.50 Bande. $9.50 Dandino, $11 Admire Rakti, $13 Junoob, Rising Romance, Who Shot Thebarman; $15 Dear Demi, $17 Big Memory, The Offer; $18 Hawkspur, Stipulate; $26 Brambles, Lidari, Moriarty; $31 Green Moon, Gris Caro, Seismos; $51 Araldo, Sea Moon; $151 Unchain My Heart, $201 Renew.
Zeroing in on Cups
• Staying pair carry the hopes of a nation at Spring Carnival.
• Bande is considered the more likely prospect at Caulfield on Saturday.
• Trainer of Protectionist dubious as to charge's high rating.
