30 April, 2014
HANA'S GOAL (5yo m, by Orewa Matteruze (JPN)), who has ventured overseas to race in Australia, won the All-Aged S. (G1, Turf, 1400m) at Royal Randwick Racecourse on April 26th (Sat). The mare came from the very last position to overtake the rest of the runners in the stretch and claim a two-length victory that earned her A$240,000.
We have not seen many Japanese runners in Australian races in recent years, and this is Japan's first G1 victory in Australia since DELTA BLUES (JPN) and POP ROCK (JPN) recorded their one-two finish in the 2006 Melbourne Cup. It is also great news for Japan that a Japanese horse won a 1400m G1 race in Australia, where there is considered to be an abundance of excellent sprinters.