16 January, 2019
Another year comes to a close in the JRA and with it come many of the year-end championship races. The end of the JRA calendar is jam-packed with amazing G1 races every weekend bringing fans around the world a glimpse at the best Japan has to offer.
The 2000m G3 Challenge Cup at Hanshin Racecourse on December 1st was the last 2000m race for three-year-olds and up of the JRA calendar. Air Windsor(JPN) has been a highly consistent runner during his three seasons on the track, only finishing out of the top two only twice and out of the top three only once. He skipped the classics in 2017, and the move seemed to have done the son of King Kamehameha(JPN)'s right as he has been maturing into a quality horse. That quality was on display when he took off in the stretch to win by stunning three lengths, claiming his first graded stakes victory and his fourth consecutive win. Mount Gold(JPN) finished second, and three-year-old Stay Foolish(JPN) was a length and a half back in third.
The 1600m G3 Chunichi Shimbun Hai at Chukyo Racecourse on December 8th turned into a thrilling stretch duel after Gibeon(JPN), likely taking the lead a bit early in the long Chukyo stretch and while looking like an easy win for a few hundred meters has to duke it out with a fast closing Shonan Bach(JPN) stride for stride to keep the win by a narrow nose. A three-year-old son of Deep Impact(JPN), taking on older horses for the first time was carrying two more kilograms than the seven-year-old Shonan Bach(JPN), making his game stretch duel all the more impressive. Strong Titan(USA) was four lengths back in third.
The 1200m G3 Capella Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse on December 9th is the last JRA dirt graded stakes of the year. Saita Three Red(JPN) broke sharp and led the whole way round but in the final 100m Copano Kicking(USA) came flying on the outside to snatch victory away at the last second. The son of Spring At Last(USA) showed remarkable closing ability coming from the back of the pack in time to win the six-furlong race. Saita Three Red(JPN) was ¾ back in second, and Kitasan Mikazuki(JPN) was third.
The 1600m G3 Turquoise Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse on December 15th is the last fillies and mares race of the year, and it was fitting that Miss Panthere(JPN) was the one to claim it as she has been having a stellar year with this being her third graded stakes win. The Daiwa Major(JPN) filly had a fantastic 2018 winning two G3s including the Turquoise Stakes and then a G2. She received the perfect race, stalking the pace mid-pack before having a clear lane to wear down the competition to win by half a length over Liberty Heights(JPN) and Denko Ange(JPN) a nose back in third.
The 3600m G2 Stayers Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse on December 1st is one of the last prep races for the G1 Arima Kinen at the end of December and the longest distance available in the JRA. Post time favorite Ridge Man(JPN) by typical sprint sire Swept Overboard(USA) made an effortless show of it in the race. Admire Eikan(JPN) was two and a half lengths in behind in second with Mondo Intero(JPN) in third.
The 1400m G2 Hanshin Cup at Hanshin Racecourse on December 22nd was the last G2 of 2018 and it wired by Diana Halo(JPN) a five-year-old daughter of King Halo(JPN). She in her second start of the year she wired the G3 Hankyu Hai and brought the year to a close with a similarly impressive victory in the G2 Hanshin Cup. Three-year-old Mr Melody(USA) chased her the length of the stretch but the mare hung on to win by half a length and Star of Persia(JPN) was a length and three fourths in third.
The 1800m G1 Champions Cup at Chukyo Racecourse on December 2nd is the last of only two G1 dirt races in the JRA. As the only one open to three-year-olds, it should be no surprise that the powerhouse Le Vent Se Leve(JPN) proved much the best as they crossed the finish line. He closed out 2017 as a top two-year-old over the dirt and spent all of 2018 proving that he was a spectacular dirt horse. With the potential to go abroad in 2019, the talented colt finally overcame his slow start habit which was the biggest worry for his connections about any potential international opportunity. The large Symboli Kris S(USA) colt broke sharp and stalked the pace before making the race all about him at the 200m mark, easing into the finish. As one of Japan's most exciting young dirt runners, 2019 should be an exciting year for the colt. Westerlund(JPN) closed from last to finish second, and Sunrise Soar(JPN) who looked much the best at the 400m mark finished third. Foreign raider Pavel(USA), the first international participant in many years, finished 15th. Omega Perfume(JPN) who finished 5th in this race went on to win the G1 Tokyo Daishoten in the NAR at the end of December.
The 1600m G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies at Hanshin Racecourse on December 9th is the championship race for two-year-old fillies in Japan since as of late most fillies don't go to the Hopeful Stakes, though that could change with time. Most years the favorite is well positioned to capture this race handily, and 2018 was no different. Favorite Danon Fantasy(JPN) showed remarkable ability charging down the center of the track with Chrono Genesis(JPN) hot on her heels. Danon Fantasy(JPN), a daughter of Deep Impact(JPN), had plenty left in her tank to hold off the competition. Beach Samba(JPN) was a neck further back in third.
The 1600m G1 Asahi Hai Futurity at Hanshin Racecourse on December 16th has long been the championship making race for two-year-old males in Japan, but with the introduction of the G1 Hopeful Stakes in 2017 that title might not be guaranteed to winners from now on. Last year it might be safe though, with the impressive victory of Admire Mars(JPN). The son of Daiwa Major(JPN) was coming into the race already cemented as a G2 winner after having won the G2 Daily Hai Nisai Stakes in mid-November. The chestnut colt expertly sat off the pace during the mile-long contest and kicked off to the lead as they turned from home. While it took him a furlong to get going, he was never in danger and drew off to win by two. Kurino Gaudi(JPN) got up for second a half-length over filly Gran Alegria(JPN) who finished third.
The 2000m G1, Hopeful Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse on December 28th, is still trying to find its roll in the JRA Championships but impeccably bred Saturnalia(JPN) will definitely be taking away some of Admire Mars(JPN)'s votes for the Champion Two-Year-Old after the impressive performance he turned in on the last race day of the year. He is a half-brother to 2014 G1 Japan Cup winner Epiphaneia(JPN) and 2015 Champion Two-Year-Old Leontes(JPN). The son of Lord Kanaloa(JPN) was behind the pacesetter, hugging the rail till the 200m mark when he got an opening and burst through to win by a comfortable length and a half. Admire Justa(JPN) was second, and Nishino Daisy(JPN) was ¾ back in third.
The 2500m G1 Arima Kinen at Nakayama Racecourse on December 23rd used to be the last JRA G1 of the year until the elevation of the G1 Hopeful Stakes and its placement on the 28th of December. Regardless, the Arima Kinen has a unique feel to it beyond most other races in Japan. Of all the major races in Japan, the Arima Kinen enjoys the highest turn over in all of the JRA and last year was no exception. The last major race for older horses in Japan is always a star-studded affair and even though Tenno Sho Aki hero Rey de Oro(JPN) was expected to be the definitive winner of the race this time out, he was upset by newcomer Blast Onepiece(JPN), a son of Harbinger(GB) who had been showing promise all year. As expected, Kiseki(JPN) set the early pace and led strongly as they hit the 200m mark. Once they hit the midstretch hill, however, just before the 100m mark, the dynamics changed as eventual winner Blast Onepiece(JPN) wore him down. Rey de Oro(JPN) had been running behind Blast Onepiece(JPN) most of the race but couldn't get the jump on the three-year-old and had to settle for second by only a neck. Cheval Grand(JPN) finished a length and a quarter back in third.
All JRA graded stakes results and race replays are available on Japan Association for International Racing, and Stud Book (JAIRS)'s website: http://japanracing.jp/.
Please contact our representative below for further details:
Satomi Oka (Ms)
Satomi Oka Bloodstock Pty Ltd
E-mail : satomi@bloodstock.jp
Tel : +61 414 414 450