fillies' Classic | Horse Racing Free Tips

Godolphin’s Eternal Hope Supplemented To Betfred Oaks

Eternal Hope (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who won the Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial earlier this month for Godolphin, has been supplemented at a cost of £30,000 to Friday's G1 Betfred Oaks.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, she gave a good account of herself in her Saturday morning work, and her addition brings the Oaks nominees up to 15. Third at Wolverhampton in her debut in February, she won a 10-furlong Chelmsford maiden later that month. At Lingfield, she defeated another potential Oaks starter in the Group 3-placed Be Happy (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), one of six entries for Aidan O'Brien and Coolmore. Part of that sextet is 22-length Listed Cheshire Oaks heroine Savethelastdance (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who won by an almost unbelievable margin earlier in May.

John and Thady Gosden run both listed winner Roaring Lion (GB) (Roaring Lion) and G3 Musidora S. heroine Soul Sister (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Final declarations will be made on Wednesday morning.

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No Astral Projection Here, As ‘Stars’ Lands Japanese Oaks

Chances for a 2022 Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown are alive and well after G1 Japanese 1000 Guineas heroine Stars On Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) delivered the Classic double in the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) for Shadai Race Horse and trainer Mizuki Takayanagi at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday.

Sent off as the 5-1 third choice, the bay broke well from the widest gate in 18, but was stuck wide as the field strung out in the wake of Nishino Love Wink (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}). Sitting in eighth, Christophe Lemaire had his filly relaxed on the backstretch and she remained there entering the second and final turn.

Wheeling into the straight with plenty of horse, Lemaire cut Stars On Earth loose and she immediately began to pick up with a quarter-mile to travel while out in the centre of the course. The pacesetter still maintained her advantage, but Nishino Love Wink was starting to flag and several rivals were ready to pounce.

Flashing the greatest turn of foot, Stars On Earth grabbed the lead inside the final furlong and fended off a late run from Stunning Rose (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) by 1 1/4 lengths. It was the same margin back to Namur (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) in third. Favoured Circle of Life (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), the champion juvenile filly in Japan last year was a 2-1 shot, but she broke slowly and never engaged, trailing in 12th of 18.

“I am really thrilled to have won in front of a big crowd today– it's really not fun to win with an empty stand so I appreciate all you fans for coming,” said Lemaire, who was winning his first Group 1 of 2022 and third Oaks after Soul Stirring (Jpn) (Frankel {GB}) in 2017 and Japanese Fillies Triple Crown victress Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) one year later.

“The filly was in great condition coming into the race but it requires a lot of effort to start from an outside draw, so I was easy with her in early. She stayed calm and responded really well in the closing stages so I was happy. It was her first attempt at 2400 meters but her pedigree showed that she should be up in terms of stamina so I thought it shouldn't be a problem. She's already won at 1600 meters and shown to handle 2400 meters, so I think she has a pretty good chance to win her third Group 1 triple over 2000 meters.”

Never off the board in six previous starts, Stars On Earth broke her maiden at second asking last October and ran third in the Akamatsu Sho to Namur locally in November. She resumed with a runner-up performance to Lilac (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) (11th) in the G3 Fairy S. at Nakayama in January and filled the bridesmaid role again in the G3 Daily Hai Queen Cup here on Feb. 12. The Japanese 1000 Guineas, where she defeated Water Navillera (Jpn) (Silver State {Jpn}) (13th) was only her second victory on Apr. 10.

Pedigree Notes

Stars On Earth joins Titleholder (Jpn) as a dual Group 1 winner by Duramente, and the duo are half of the sire's tally of four stakes winners. The late Smart Strike was a highly successful sire Stateside and he is the grandsire of 144 black-type winners so far, 57 graded/group winners and an even dozen Grade/Group 1 winners. Since the start of the year, the former Lane's End stalwart has seven black-type winners, led by GI Kentucky Derby hero Rich Strike (Keen Ice) and GIII Robert B. Lewis S. and GI Santa Anita Derby runner-up Messier (Empire Maker). Also the damsire of 2009 Kentucky Derby scorer Mine That Bird (Birdstone), Smart Strike's Japanese triumphs span G1 Yasuda Kinen winner Strong Return (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S {Jpn}), Group 2 winner Epos (Jpn) (Just A Way {Jpn}) and G1 Oka Sho runner-up Red Oval (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) just to name a handful.

The second foal, runner and winner for her dam, who won once as a 3-year-old over 2000 metres in England, Stars On Earth is followed by a 2-year-old colt by Daiwa Major (Jpn). A homebred for Teruya Yoshida, Southern Stars, a half-sister to Lemaire's 2017 Japanese Oaks winner Soul Stirring and G3 Artemis S. victress Schon Glanz (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), was covered by Mikki Isle (Jpn) last spring.

Stars On Earth's second dam is the American champion grass mare Stacelita (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}), who gained a similar honour in France from 9 1/2-11 furlongs. A winner of the G1 Prix de Diane (French Oaks), GI Beverly D. S., GI Flower Bow Invitational S., G1 Prix Vermeille, G1 Prix Saint-Alary and G1 Prix Jean Romanet, Stacelita is out of German listed winner Soignee (Ger) (Dashing Blade {GB}).

Sunday, Tokyo, Japan
YUHUN HIMBA (JAPANESE OAKS)-G1, ¥306,220,000, Tokyo, 5-22, 3yo, f, 2400mT, 2:23.90, fm.
1–STARS ON EARTH (JPN), 121, f, 3, Duramente (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Southern Stars (GB), by Smart Strike
                2nd Dam: Stacelita (Fr), by Monsun (Ger)
                3rd Dam: Soignee (Ger), by Dashing Blade (GB)
O-Shadai Race Horse; B-Shadai Farm (Jpn); T-Mizuki
Takayanagi; J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥168,154,000. Lifetime
Record: 7-3-3-1. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Stunning Rose (Jpn), 121, f, 3, King Kamehameha (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Rosa Blanca (Jpn), by Kurofune.
                2nd Dam: Rosebud (Jpn), by Sunday Silence
                3rd Dam: Rose Colour (Jpn), by Shirley Heights (GB)
1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm
(Jpn); ¥52,280,000.
3–Namur (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Harbinger (GB)
                1st Dam: Sambre et Meuse (Jpn), by Daiwa Major (Jpn)
                2nd Dam: Vite Marcher (Jpn), by French Deputy
                3rd Dam: Kyoei March (Jpn), by Dancing Brave
1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm
(Jpn); ¥32,140,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1 1/4, 1. Odds: 5.50, 27.20, 6.10.
Also Ran: Pin High (Jpn), Presage Lift (Jpn), Rouge Eveil (Jpn), Art House (Jpn), Nishino Love Wink (Jpn), Erika Vita (Jpn), Belle Cresta (Jpn), Lilac (Jpn), Circle of Life (Jpn), Water Navillera (Jpn), Sea Glass (Jpn), Love Pyro (Jpn), Personal High (Jpn), Ho O Vanilla (Jpn). SCR: Sound Vivace (Jpn).
Click for the JRA chart & video or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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All To Play For In The 1000 Guineas

After the decision to avoid the stress of a G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas examination for Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), the latest renewal of the Newmarket Classic has become open season for up-and-comers in the miling division. Very few of the 14 left in the race can be safely discounted and with a filly unproven beyond six furlongs at the head of the market, it is fair to say that anything can happen in this one. There were shades of Ravinella (Mr. Prospector) in the way Ballydoyle's number one and 'TDN Rising Star' Tenebrism (Caravaggio) went through the G1 Cheveley Park S. here in September, but there is a definite question mark over the mile for her and the performance of Flotus (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) here on Saturday was an untimely blow to that form. “She is unproven beyond six furlongs and maybe some have pegged her as a sprinter, but there is only one way to find out and that is on Sunday,” Ryan Moore said. “In terms of raw ability, we are happy with where she sits in the pecking order.”

Will Danehill's Record Fall?

Aidan O'Brien tends to win mile Classics with stouter-bred individuals, which brings in Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) but there is a feeling that the reality of winning a 1000 Guineas will be too much too soon as she builds experience ahead of an Oaks tilt. The Naas maiden winner shaped as the better filly when second to Discoveries (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) on her sole juvenile start and if she has made the leap she will be providing Galileo with the world record of stakes winners. This would be a stage fitting for such a landmark, and Ballydoyle's go-to rider Frankie Dettori only adds to the equation. “We are happy with where she is, as we didn't think we would be in this position with her four weeks ago,” the Ballydoyle handler admitted recently.

Setting The Scene

In an edition dominated by Irish and French-trained fillies, it looks a tall order for the home team to arrest the overseas momentum. The top-rated quartet among them are the quartet who chased home Inspiral in the course-and-distance G1 Fillies' Mile in October, and while Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), 'TDN Rising Star' Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}), Mise En Scene (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Wild Beauty (GB) (Frankel {GB}) are all solid proposals here they all have something to find. Mise En Scene provides James Ferguson with a first Classic runner and he is understandably hopeful that the Qatar Racing and Racehorse Club-owned G3 Prestige S. winner could be at least a bit player in this play. “I honestly think it is the most open 1000 Guineas I can remember,” he said. “It is wonderful to have a filly this good and she deserves to be the shortest-priced British runner. The fact she has got stamina in her pedigree will help her.”

Guineas Set For Frexit?

This is a big year for Francis-Henri Graffard, who has been handed the golden opportunity of taking over the famous Aiglemont stables, and in Everest Racing, Barbara Keller and David Redvers's Malavath (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) he has a strong chance of making waves in this important monument. Building slowly to a crescendo last term, she went from a soft-ground win in the six-furlong G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte at Chantilly in October to a barnstorming finish when second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on a firm surface over this trip at Del Mar the following month. She put her compatriot Zellie (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in her place in the Apr. 7 G3 Prix Imprudence at Deauville, which during the 1980s was the launchpad used by Criquette Head for her Guineas heroines Ma Biche and Ravinella and by François Boutin for the great Miesque. “I couldn't have her in better form,” Graffard said. “She came on a lot from her seasonal debut and she's very well. When it comes to the ground, she's a very versatile filly and hopefully she is good enough for a race like this.”

The Supporting Cast

There is abundant intrigue away from the Guineas, with ParisLongchamp staging the G1 Prix Ganay where the G2 Prix d'Harcourt one-two-three Skalleti (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}), Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) and Mare Australis (Ire) (Australia {GB}) re-oppose. Sir Michael Stoute, a master in races like the G2 Betfair Exchange Dahlia S., looks to Chris Humber and Hunscote Stud's G3 Pride S. winner Ville de Grace (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}) to provide him with a seventh renewal of Newmarket's nine-furlong test. In Germany, the G3 Bavarian Classic at Munich sees the latest potential Gestut Schlenderhan star step forward in the impressive Dusseldorf scorer So Moonstruck (Ger) (Sea the Moon {Ger}); while John and Thady Gosden who appear to have several Oaks hopefuls and saddle Juddmonte's Crenelle (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the 10-furlong Listed Pretty Polly S. on the Guineas undercard.

Click here for the group fields.

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Namur Hoping To Blossom In Oka Sho

Billed as the “Cherry Blossom Prize”, Japan's G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) over 1600 metres is the first Japanese Classic of the season, and a full field of 18 faces the starter on Sunday.

The diminutive three-for-four Namur (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) is the likely favourite, and she enters this test on the back of a victory in the Mar. 5 G2 Tulip Sho. Her only loss was in her third start, when a close fourth after a slow break and a rough trip to Circle Of Life (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), Lovely Your Eyes (Jpn) (Logotype {Jpn}), and Water Navillera (Jpn) (Silver State {Jpn}), in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies on Dec. 12. As her 2022 form has shown, the bay has progressed this term, but she must overcome breaking from gate 18, the widest post in the one-mile race. “I think she has pretty much fixed her form and only rose up in front a bit,” said trainer Tomokazu Takano.

Circle of Life graduated at second asking at Nakayama in September, then reeled off wins in the G3 Artemis S. at Tokyo on Oct. 30 and at Hanshin in December. Her victory in the latter helped boost her to the title of Japan's Champion 2-Year-Old Filly for 2021. The bay was closer than normal to the pace in the Tulip Sho, where she finished third to a resurgent Namur and Pin High (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}).

“She was a bit more high-strung than usual in this last race, but now that she's let off some gas, if she can get a nice smooth trip and make the most of her late speed, I think she has a chance to revenge the loss,” said trainer Sakae Kunieda.

Although without a win at group level, Lovely Your Eyes did place third versus colts in the G2 Keio Hai Nisai S. at Tokyo in November, and she was only a half-length off of Circle of Life in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. The Oka Sho will be her first appearance as a sophomore, and she is a member of G1 Japanese 2000 Guineas hero Logotype's first crop.

“She is refreshed now, both mentally and physically and has matured quite a bit,” said conditioner Yoichi Kuroiwa. “The jockey [Ryusei Sakai] rode her last week and liked what he felt. She is looking good. I think her weight will be up from her last start.”

The Group 1-placed Water Navillera won her first three starts at two, culminating with a victory in the G3 KBS Kyoto Sho Fantasy S. in November, defeating Namura Clair (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}). She was third in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, but produced a game effort to be fifth in the Tulip Sho, running on without a clear run and gaining on the leaders all the way to the line.

Click here for the group field.

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