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Connections are confident Jupiter Gold can go two better from his smack-up third in the Raffles Cup in the second Leg of the Singapore Triple Crown series on Sunday, the $1 million Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m).

But win, lose or draw, the son of Congrats is giving the grand final a miss, the $1.35 million Group 1 Dester Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) on November 11.

Trainer Hideyuki Takaoka has made up his mind. He would know better, he has won four of them (El Dorado in 2008, 2009 and 2011 and Better Life in 2012), even if they were then run over a more energy-sapping 2200m.

“To me, the 1800m is the maximum distance for Jupiter Gold. The 2000m of the Gold Cup? No, not for him,” said the no-nonsense Japanese handler who also won the QEII Cup in 2013 with Better Life when it was a Group 2 event run over 2000m.

“No matter what he does in the QEII Cup, he won’t run in the Gold Cup. I have discussed with the owner (Kaz Hosaka), and he supports my decision 100%.”

That doesn’t mean the yard will be watching the glamour race from the stands as spectators.

“It’s Makanani who will be my Gold Cup representative. She is a proven stayer and she is also running on Sunday, that is her last run and she then goes straight to the Gold Cup,” he said.

The Japanese-bred four-year-old mare by Black Tide runs in The British Club Gallop, a $100,000 Class 2 race over 1800m, four races before the QEII Cup. The Masa Otani (El Dorado’s owner)-owned stayer is coming off a fourth place to King Louis in the Group 3 El Dorado Classic (2000m) on September 23, on Raffles Cup day.

It’s almost as if Jupiter Gold and Makanani have been set on a parallel path, and with two individual goals.

“Makanani was always my Gold Cup runner while I had always targeted the first two Legs of the Triple Crown for Jupiter Gold,” said Takaoka.

“Both horses have reached their peak for their targets. Makanani ran very well at her last start, even if she probably went a little too early.

“Jupiter Gold had a bit of a bumpy trip in the Raffles Cup, and even though he looked beat at the 200m, he came back again and found the line well, which was very good. I was happy with the way Marc (Lerner who replaced the suspended Olivier Placais) rode him.

“The horse has pulled up good since and he galloped well this morning. He is a lot more settled and more relaxed now, which means his gelding operation was a good thing for him.

“Olivier was very happy with his condition and today’s gallop. To me, Jupiter Gold is at the same level as at his Derby win.”

The French jockey, who has now partnered Jupiter Gold at the last four runs before the Raffles Cup, for a prolific record of three wins, including the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (1800m) in July, echoed the same sentiments as Takaoka, if not even more bullish.

“He’s never been better. He’s got a better action, is more relaxed and knuckled very well to the task this morning,” said Placais who also rides Makanani (aboard at one of her four wins) on Sunday and in the Singapore Gold Cup.

“He ran very well at his last start. He ran his race and fought hard to the line, and I think he has improved since.

“The only query is barrier No 14, but it’s a long straight before the first turn. We’ll be right.”