06 April, 2020
February was the last business as usual month in the JRA before the doors closed to the public due to the Novel Coronavirus.
The 1400m G3 Negishi Stakes on February 2nd at Tokyo Racecourse saw an amazing shift in the career of G1 Yasuda Kinen winner Mozu Ascot(USA) by Frankel(GB). The six-year-old chestnut made his dirt debut after a year and a half of not having won a race over the turf. The change-up proved to be truly inspired as the G1 winner handled the change in ground beautifully, winning by a comfortable length and a quarter coming from mid-pack. He would go on to the G1 February Stakes at the end of the month, continuing over the dirt surface. Copano Kicking(USA) by Spring At Last(USA) held on for second, while Smart Avalon(JPN) by South Vigorous(USA) closed speedily to finish third a further length back.
Also, on February 2nd, the 1200m G3 Silk Road Stakes at Kyoto Racecourse is a step race for the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at the end of March. Young sire Just a Way(JPN) had his first graded stakes winner of 2020 with the promising sprinter A Will a Way(JPN) who managed to come far off the pace and keep her neck in front to win her first graded stakes title. Oddly enough, the top three finishers in the race all came from the back of the pack, not the typical result in sprints, and just a neck separated all. Eighteen Girl(JPN) by Johannesburg(USA) was second, and Naran Huleg(JPN) by Gold Allure(JPN) was third.
The 1600m G3 Tokyo Shimbun Hai on February 9th at Tokyo Racecourse had the reliable racemare Primo Scene(JPN) by Deep Impact(JPN) capture her third G3 title. She broke well, getting a good position roughly in the middle of the pack before making her move in the stretch, grinding away to get herself to the lead. She held off a final charge from Shadow Dive(JPN) by Heart's Cry(JPN) to win by half a length. Kurino Gaudi(JPN) by Screen Hero(JPN) was a nose back in third.
Also, on February 9th, the 1800m G3 Kisaragi Sho at Kyoto Racecourse is a step race for the G1 Satsuki Sho(Japanese 2000 Guineas) in mid-April. The race drew a small field of only eight runners, rare for the JRA. The race was upset by seventh favorite Cortesia(JPN) by Symboli Kris S(USA), who stalked the pace early before running down the front runners to get his neck in front. Stone Ridge(JPN) by Deep Impact(JPN) was second, and Al Jannah(JPN) also by Deep Impact(JPN) was half a length back in third.
The 1600m G3 Queen Cup on February 15th at Tokyo Racecourse is a step race for the G1 Oka Sho(Japanese 1000 Guineas) in early April. The second favorite Miyamazakura(JPN) by Deep Impact(JPN) stalked the front runner during the early stages of the race and held off a powerful closing run by Magic Castle(JPN) also by Deep Impact(JPN) to win by a neck. Seiun Venus(JPN) by Curren Black Hill(JPN) was three-quarters of a length back in third.
The 1800m G3 Kyodo News Hai on February 16th at Tokyo Racecourse is another step race for the G1 Satsuki Sho(Japanese 2000 Guineas) in mid-April. The foreign bred Darlington Hall(GB) by New Approach(IRE) turned in a thrilling performance battling down the long Tokyo straight, neck and neck with Bitterender(JPN) by Orfevre(JPN). A photo finish gave Darlington Hall(GB) the win by a nose. Figlio Allegro(JPN) by Deep Impact(JPN) was four lengths back in third.
Also on February 16th, the 2200m G2 Kyoto Kinen at Kyoto Racecourse was set to be a prep race for the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic for Japan Cup runner up Curren Bouquetd'or(JPN) by Deep Impact(JPN). It seemed she needed the race after getting well beaten by G1 Shuka Sho winner Chrono Genesis(JPN) by Bago(FR), who appeared to relish the yielding turf. Chrono Genesis(JPN) stalked the pace closely before winning by an easy two and a half lengths. Curren Bouquetd'or(JPN) was second, and Stay Foolish(JPN) by Stay Gold(JPN) was a length and three quarters back in third.
The 3400m G3 Diamond Stakes on February 22nd at Tokyo Racecourse saw one of the biggest upsets in JRA history when 16th favorite Miraieno Tsubasa(JPN) by Dream Journey(JPN) who had win odds of 325.5 get up to win his first graded stakes title. The seven-year-old got won a tight photo finish with G2 winner Meisho Tengen(JPN) by Deep Impact(JPN) after mighty 100m duel. Ocea Great(JPN) by Orfevre(JPN) was five lengths back in third.
Also, on February 22nd, the 1400m G3 Kyoto Himba Stakes at Kyoto Racecourse, which gave sprinter mares something to target. The race was won by favorite Sound Chiara(JPN) by Deep Impact(JPN), who, broke well from the far outside post and settled mid pack going wide the whole way before launching into action in the stretch to win by a comfortable length and a quarter. Pourville(JPN) by Le Havre(IRE) was second, and Meisho Glocke(JPN) by Meisho Samson(JPN) was another length and a quarter back in third.
The 1800m G3 Kokura Daishoten on February 23rd at Kokura Racecourse saw Cadenas(JPN) by Deep Impact(JPN) get up to win his third graded stakes title overall but first in nearly three years. The son of Deep Impact(JPN) settled in the back of the pack before launching a strong bid in the stretch where he drew clear by a length and three quarters. Duomo(JPN) by Deep Impact(JPN) was second, and a Jinambo(JPN) also by Deep Impact(JPN) was a neck back in third.
Also, on February 23rd, in the 1600m G1 February Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse Mozu Ascot(USA) by Frankel(GB) made history when be became only the fifth horse in JRA history to win both a G1 race on Dirt as well as turf. Despite only having one dirt run to his resume, he went into the race as the favorite, breaking as usual and sitting mid-pack as they made their way around the Tokyo dirt course. He accelerated well in the stretch and won by an easy two and a half lengths over his more experienced dirt rivals. K T Brave(JPN) by Admire Max(JPN) was second, and Sunrise Nova(JPN) by Gold Allure(JPN) was another length and a quarter back in third. Adding more flair to the results of the first G1 of 2020, it was announced that the new dual G1 winner would head down to Australia for the G1 Doncaster Mile and possibly the G1 Breeders Cup Dirt Mile in the fall. Due to complications from the coronavirus, the horse had to cancel his plans to go to Australia and instead is pointed toward the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at the end of March.
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