Tag: Geraldina

Geraldina Needs Very Best To Defend QE II Cup

Sunday Racing's Geraldina (Jpn), the product of Japanese Horses of the Year Maurice (Jpn) and Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) will have to lift her game to a level not yet seen in 2023 if she is to become the third horse to go back-to-back in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Kyoto Racecourse Sunday afternoon.

The 5-year-old was a cracking third to Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G1 Arima Kinen to end a fruitful 2022 campaign, but it's been tougher sledding this term, as she has finished outside the top three in each of her four starts. Her fourth-place effort to Equinox in the June 25 G1 Takarazuka Kinen was full of merit, as she came from a long way back to finish fourth, and perhaps she needed the run when only sixth to the progressive Rousham Park (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) and Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) in the G2 Sankei Sho All Comers S. Sept. 24. The visiting Ryan Moore has the mount Sunday and knows a thing or two about Geraldina's parents.

“I won Grade 1 races on both her sire and her dam and that is something special for me,” Moore said. “Even though I've never ridden Geraldina, I've watched the video of last year's race and will look forward to riding her on Sunday.”

Gentildonna defeated Verxina (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) into second in all three legs of the Filly Triple Crown in 2012, and the latter–narrowly beaten at odds-on in this event that season–is also represented here by Divina (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}). A close fourth to Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the G1 Victoria Mile earlier this season, the bay, owned by former American professional baseball player Kaz Sasaki, exits a nose defeat of Rouge Eveil (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}) in the G2 Fuchu Himba S. at Tokyo Oct. 14.

This year's Classic form is represented by Harper (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), second to Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) in the G1 Yushun Himba and a latest third in the G1 Shuka Sho Oct. 15. Brede Weg (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) was working her way through the lower grades over the summer, but announced herself as a potential top-class mare with a narrow defeat to future Shuka Sho runner-up Masked Diva (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) in the G2 Rose S. in September.

Sheikh Fahad's Art House (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) was a winner in Group 3 company in January and was last seen finishing a good fourth behind Through Seven Seas (Jpn) (Dream Journey {Jpn}) at Group 3 level in March. The latter gave Equinox all he could handle in the Takarazuka Kinen and went on to be a meritorious fourth to Cartier Horse of the Year Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}) in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

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Equinox Looks To Defy Recent History in Takarazuka Kinen

The final Group 1 of the first half of the year in Japan is set for Hanshin Racecourse Sunday afternoon, where Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), the world's top-rated racehorse on the heels of an imperious front-running victory in the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic back in March, squares off against seven fellow elite-level scorers in the Takarazuka Kinen, an event which earns the winner a spot in the field for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Nov. 4.

The flashy 4-year-old is the 1.30 (3-10) mortal early doors, but the 2200-metre test has not exactly been kind to favoured runners over the last decade, with only Gold Ship (Jpn) in 2014–before finishing last but one at skinny odds after playing up in the stalls in search of three straight the following year–and Chrono Genesis (Jpn) in 2021 saluting. That said, the race is clearly Equinox's to lose. Second in the G1 Satsuki Sho and G1 Tokyo Yushun last term, he ran down the enterprisingly ridden Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) and stamped his authority on the G1 Arima Kinen to wrap up Horse of the Year honours. Leaving nothing to chance at Meydan, Equinox was put on the lead by Christophe Lemaire and when asked to stretch ever so slightly in the straight, opened up at will for a breathtaking 3 1/2-length victory over G1 Irish Derby hero Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

“[Christophe Lemaire] has been working him and the horse looks good going into the race,” said trainer Tetsuya Kimura. “He was in good condition for last year's Arima Kinen, and he's about the same as that now. It did take him some time to recover from his trip to Dubai. As he develops though, he's showing a lot more power, and that should help him prove himself here.”

 

 

Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was also Classic-placed last season, having finished a very good third behind Ask Victor More (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) over 3000 metres. Only seventh in the Arima Kinen, he is perfect in his two runs in 2023, including a 2 1/2-length defeat of the reliable Deep Bond (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) going two miles Apr. 30. Justin Palace cuts back a full five furlongs in trip Sunday, but his connections are nevertheless bullish on his chances.

“His responses and times have been good in training, and he looks better than I had imagined,” said trainer Haruki Sugiyama. “It seems like he's developed more even since his last race and he's well-balanced now, so I hope he can show even more this time.”

Geraldina (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), whose Horse of the Year dam Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was third at 7-5 in 2013, is already a Group 1 winner over Sunday's 2200-metre trip, having bested her peers in the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup last November before running home nicely to be third in the Arima Kinen. She'll need to improve on sixth-place efforts in the G1 Osaka Hai and G1 FWD QE II Cup in Hong Kong. The female set is also represented by Carrot Farm's Through Seven Seas (Jpn) (Dream Journey {Jpn}), last-start winner of the G3 Nakayama Himba S. who holds entries for the G1 Irish Champion S. and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Vela Azul (Jpn) (Eishin Flash {Jpn}) was the recipient of a brilliant and audacious ride from Ryan Moore to touch off Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in last year's G1 Japan Cup, but he never threatened when 10th in the Arima Kinen. The registered black entire returns to the turf following a distant 13th to compatriot Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the G1 Dubai World Cup Mar. 25.

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Home Trio Goes For More Champions Day Glory

With a horse population that numbers around 1200, Hong Kong proudly boasts four of the top six horses in the latest Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings (WBRR), each of which will be warm items Sunday when Sha Tin Racecourse plays host to its second-biggest day of international racing annually, the FWD Champions Day program.

Of the quartet, Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) sits just behind Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) at the top of the heap and looks to make history when he goes in search of a third straight success in the G1 FWD Champions Mile. After being thwarted in one such pursuit by the re-opposing and WBRR #6 California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile in December, Hong Kong's all-time leading money spinner turned the tables in the G1 Stewards' Cup in January and beat Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB})–joint-fourth in the rankings–at his best game in the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) the following month. The connections of Golden Sixty passed on an attempt at desert riches in the G1 Dubai Turf in favour of the Champions Mile and there is no lack of optimism in his camp.

“I don't feel any pressure, the pressure before the race is that I hope he can win, always,” said trainer Francis Lui. “Every time we plan, we do it after the race and my future plan is another Hong Kong Mile in December.”

While Golden Sixty will be a short-priced favourite in a race that also includes G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas hero Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) and BMW Hong Kong Derby hero Voyage  Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), Romantic Warrior has something to prove in defence of his title in last year's G1 FWD QE II Cup over the metric mile and a quarter. Last year's Derby winner was an eye-catching in adding the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup on international day in December, but he was a battling second in the Stewards' Cup and could not sprint with Golden Sixty in the Gold Cup. Sunday's race is anything but a 'gimme', given the presence of last-out G1 Longines Queen Elizabeth S. winner Dubai Honour (GB) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}). Victorious in the G1 Ranvet S. prior to that, he was a close fourth to Japan's Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the 2021 Hong Kong Cup and is a giant threat Sunday.

The QE II Cup has gone to Japan three of the last six years and the nation sends across a typically strong contingent this weekend. Geraldina (Jpn), a daughter of former Champions Mile winner Maurice (Jpn) and fellow Japanese Horse of the Year Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), defeated her peers in Japan's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup and was a sound third to Equinox in the G1 Arima Kinen. She should strip fitter for a better-than-it-looks sixth behind Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) in the G1 Osaka Hai last time. The progressive Prognosis (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was a fast-finishing winner of the G2 Kinko Sho Mar. 12 and has the services of Zac Purton, while Danon the Kid (Jpn) (Just A Way {Jpn}) was runner-up in last year's Hong Kong Cup and exits a narrowly beaten third in the Osaka Hai.

Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) goes for back-to-back wins in the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize, but will fill a supporting role against the in-form Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}), who shares fourth in the WBRR with Romantic Warrior. Disappointed for a clear run when sixth to Wellington in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, he enters this test on a four-race winning streak, a stretch that also includes the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup and G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup. Pending the results from this weekend, he could travel to Japan for the G1 Yasuda Kinen for his next appearance.

Adding a bit of intrigue to the Chairman's are Sight Success (Aus) (Magnus {Aus}) and Duke Wai (NZ) (Per Incanto), a creditable fourth and fifth, respectively, in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan Mar. 25.

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Stars on Earth Resumes In Osaka Hai

A good many of Japan's best middle-distance gallopers not named Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) are among a 16-strong field that was drawn Friday for the G1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin Racecourse. And while the reigning Horse of the Year and towering G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic winner is recovering from his trip to the Middle East, a few of those that have form through him from last season seem poised to do a fair bit of damage over the metric 10 furlongs Sunday afternoon.

Last year's champion 3-year-old filly Stars on Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) has yet to square off with Equinox, but will attract her fair share of support off a preparation that included victories in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) at the mile and the G1 Yushun Himba over 2400-metres before enduring a luckless passage in the G1 Shuka Sho in October, therefore missing out on the Filly Triple Crown. She has reportedly filled out during her time away, and Equinox's rider Christophe Lemaire is bullish on her chances this weekend.

“She's felt good in training, and I've been pleased with her responses and footwork,” the Frenchman said. “She's a lot bigger now, and as a 4-year-old more like an adult. I look forward to riding her this year.”

 

 

 

The fairer sex have won two of the three most recent renewals of the Osaka Hai, and the regally bred Geraldina (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) is another who can add to the tally in her return to the races. A product of two horses of the year, the daughter of the outstanding Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) belied odds of 7-1 to best subsequent G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile heroine Win Marilyn (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) in this track's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2200m) in November and scarcely disgraced herself when a running-on third to Equinox in the G1 Arima Kinen (2500m) when last seen on Christmas Day.

“The distance of 2000 metres doesn't rush her into things, and hopefully she'll get into the flow of the race and run well,” said trainer Takashi Saito. “I'm looking forward to what she might be able to do this year.”

The flashy Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), fifth to Potager (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in this race last term, downed future G1 Saudi Cup hero Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in the G2 Sapporo Kinen last August, then wasn't beaten far when fourth behind Equinox and Panthalassa in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) last October. Down the field when well-bet in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, he makes his seasonal debut here.

Hishi Iguazu (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) was fourth in this last April and made just one more appearance, a runner-up effort to the high-class Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen in June. The lightly raced 7-year-old turned in the perfect prep for this when scoring by 3/4 of a length over the reopposing Lagulf (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) in the G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) Feb. 26.

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