Japan racecaller with the lowdon on 2015 Caulfield Cup runners

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The Queensland-born Johnson has been living in Japan since 1991. In 2002 he took up the role of the English-speaking race caller and has been the voice heard around Australia calling the Japan Cup, one of the world's great races, for the past 13 years.

He also called Takeover Target's Sprinters Stakes win in 2006 and Karasi's amazing three Grand Jump victories from 2005 to 2007. Johnson also calls Japan's biggest sport - sumo wrestling.

Last year Japanese raider Admire Rakti stormed to Caulfield Cup victory under the riding of Hong Kong-based Aussie Zac Purton and Johnson says Hokko Brave has a better chance than Fame Game to give the Asian country another win in the race.

" Looking at the Caulfield Cup I lean towards Hokko Brave,” Johnson said.

"I would expect Hokko Brave to be ahead of Fame Game in the run and has a better sprint over shorter staying trips than Fame Game and will do better in Caulfield Cup than the Melbourne Cup.”

"Looking at the Caulfield Cup I lean towards Hokko Brave but if the pace is quick early Fame Game will love it and can make up the ground quickly off a hot pace.”

Hokko Brave's track rider Takafumi Konishi, who is also the assistant to the stayer's trainer Yasutoshi Matsunaga, agreed with Johnson's assessment of the Caulfield Cup's suitability for the horse, who he said has worked well since arriving in Melbourne.

"I prefer the Caulfield Cup for Hokko Brave,” Konishi said.

"The distance is good for him and the track looks good for him too.”

Konishi and Hokko Brave's connections were thrilled when the eight-year-old drew barrier 19 for Saturday's $3 million event.

"He has such a big stride and the inside has a big traffic jam at Caulfield. We don't want to hit the traffic,” Konishi said.

"If he was going to be in the jam, that would be it for him so the outside is much better.”

Craig Williams, who has ridden with success during numerous stints in Japan, will ride Hokko Brave in the Caulfield Cup.

Click here to learn more about Murray Johnson.


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