Tag: justin palace

Arima Kinen An Early Christmas Feast

With the recent retirement of the world's top-rated racehorse Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) and with Triple Tiara heroine Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) spelling with destinations unknown for 2024, Sunday's G1 Arima Kinen is missing its top two votegetters. But the 2500-metre event, which easily attracts the largest single-race betting in the world on an annual basis, is certainly not lacking for quality.

While Equinox is not back to defend his title, a good deal of how to solve the contest from a pari-mutuel perspective goes through him. Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) is one of four runners pressing on to the Christmas Eve feature from the G1 Japan Cup, where Equinox had four lengths on Liberty Island. In the estimation of many, the 4-year-old–one of just two horses to finish ahead of the reigning Horse of the Year, in his case in the 2022 G1 Tokyo Yushun–would have been the one to beat in the G1 Dubai Turf in March, but was scratched and missed seven months. The bay was disappointing when seventh behind Equinox in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) in October and fell a bit short of expectations when only fourth in the Japan Cup. His connections still have not lost faith.

'[Jockey Yutaka] Take rode work last week and, as I'd thought, they really looked good together,” said trainer Yasuo Tomomichi. “Take said the horse had moved really well as usual. This will be his third start of the fall season but I don't think he's tired at all. I'd say he has improved quite a bit and there is no need for more work. Equinox is out of the picture now and I think any horse has a chance.”

 

 

 

Do Deuce is one of three Derby winners in the race, joining 2021 hero Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}). The former was a cracking third to Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf Nov. 4 and was an intended runner in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase two weeks ago, but was a vet scratch. In spite of his obvious quality, the 5-year-old is no better than a 50-1 chance ante-post. Tastiera dropped a narrow decision to the sometimes mercurial Sol Oriens (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in April's G1 Satsuki Sho before turning the tables in the Derby. He exits a second–with Sol Oriens third–in the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) over 3000 metres Oct. 22.

No fewer than six fillies and mares feature in the 16-strong field, but two most-fancied have drawn the widest gates in a race that is run around three turns at Nakayama. Through Seven Seas (Jpn) (Dream Journey {Jpn}) put a bit of a scare into Equinox when flashing home for second in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen in June, after which it was announced that she'd be programmed for the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. A highly creditable fourth to Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}), she is capable if able to work out out a trip from barrier 15. Drawn widest is the oft-unlucky Stars on Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), who was unfortunate not to complete the 2022 Triple Tiara and looks to snap a frustrating streak of placings, including a latest third in the Japan Cup. Her late sire is also responsible for Titleholder (Jpn), a pacesetting ninth in this last year. Win Marilyn (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}), victorious in the 2022 G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup and an outstanding fourth to Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf Nov. 4, makes the final start of her career and is the longest price at north of 115-1.

Adding further intrigue are the half-brothers Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), winner of the G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) over 3200 metres and third in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), and Iron Barows (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), who punched his ticket to this with a victory in the G2 Stayers S. going 3600 metres of this course Dec. 2. The pair are half-brothers to recent Darley Japan import Palace Malice (Curlin).

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Equinox At His Brilliant Best In Takarazuka Kinen

The fan-voted G1 Takarazuka Kinen drew no fewer than eight Group 1 winners, but the spotlight was squarely on Silk Racing's world number one Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), who was making his first start since decimating a world-class field in the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in late March. At the end of 2200 metres in front of a reported crowd of 45,000 at Hanshin Racecourse Sunday afternoon, the baldy faced 4-year-old did not disappoint, overcoming a wide trip that was very much by design before holding off longshot Through Seven Seas (Jpn) (Dream Journey {Jpn}) in the waning strides. Leading stayer Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) outfinished the regally bred Geraldina (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) for third.

Drawn neatly in gate five in a race that has not been kind to favourites of late, the 1.30 (3-10) chalk secured a midfield position passing the stands for the first time, but drifted back through the pack as 2011 runner-up Unicorn Lion (Ire) (No Nay Never) and the 3-year-old Dura Erede (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) set off at a brisk gallop that saw the opening four furlongs traversed in :46.6.

In the company of Geraldina and Through Seven Seas at the tail of the field as they reached the halfway point, Equinox was still ridden quietly by Christophe Lemaire and they raced with cover before steering out at the 600-metre pole. Happy to sacrifice that considerable ground loss for an uncheckered passage, Equinox was some nine or 10 wide off the final corner, but steamed down the centre of the course–the best ground on the afternoon–and went on to win cosily. Through Seven Seas did not have the luxury of clear sailing and was strung up in traffic at a crucial stage before rattling home to put at least a small scare into those that backed Equinox. Distant second betting choice Justin Palace, backing up significantly in trip after winning the G1 Tenno Sho over two miles last time, predictably kept on well for third.

Sunday's tactics were dramatically different from those used in Dubai three months ago, when they chose to lead with Equinox and he glided effortlessly away. In the end, Lemaire was happy to play the hand he was dealt.

“Though we were unable get a good position toward the front due to the fast pace at the beginning, the horse was relaxed in the rear and I wasn't worried at all,” Lemaire said. As the inner track condition was not so good, we made [our] bid from the outside early and turned wide to the straight where he stretched really well. Hanshin's inner course is tricky and the Takarazuka Kinen is a difficult race to win even for champion horses, so I'm very happy that I was able to win the race with the No. 1 horse in the World's Best Racehorse Rankings. I realized again how strong he is. I hope to win more big races with him in autumn.”

The victory earned Equinox a fees-paid berth into the GI Breeders' Cup Turf in November and also a spot in the G1 Cox Plate, though big-money events at home including the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn), G1 Japan Cup and G1 Arima Kinen will naturally be strongly considered. Equinox skipped last year's Japan Cup, but was victorious in the other two races en route to being named Horse of the Year.

Pedigree Notes:

On behalf of Shadai Farm, bloodstock agent Patrick Barbe went to $410,000 to acquire Equinox's fourth dam, Blanche Reine (Fr) (Nureyev) in foal to Alleged at the 1988 Keeneland November Sale and the resulting produce was Maison Blanche, a stakes-placed earner of better than $931,000 for Kazuko Yoshida whose half-brother Balleroy (Kaldoun {Fr}) won the G3 Prix de Guiche and was second in the G1 Prix Jean Prat in 1991. The family remained fairly quiet until Maison Blanche's foal of 2010, Chateau Blanche, did her part to enhance the page, carrying theses same Silk Racing colours when defeating the top-class Marialite (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in Group 3 company in 2015.

Chateau Blanche is the dam of three winners from three to the races, a number that also includes Group 3 winner Weiss Meteor (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}). She is also the dam of the 2-year-old filly Garza Blanca (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) and foaled a full-sister to Equinox Feb. 26.

Sunday, Hanshin, Japan
TAKARAZUKA KINEN-G1, ¥423,280,000, Hanshin, 6-25, 3yo/up, 2200mT, 2:11.20, gd/fm.
1–EQUINOX (JPN), 128, c, 4, by Kitasan Black (Jpn)
1st Dam: Chateau Blanche (Jpn), by King Halo (Jpn)
2nd Dam: Blancherie (Jpn), by Tony Bin (Ire)
3rd Dam: Maison Blanche (Jpn), by Alleged
O-Silk Racing; B-Northern Farm; T-Tetsuya Kimura; J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥223,696,000. Lifetime Record: Horse of the Year & Ch. 3yo Colt-Jpn, G1SW-UAE, 8-6-2-0, $11,072,697. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Through Seven Seas (Jpn), 123, m, 5, Dream Journey (Jpn)–Mighty Slew (Jpn), by Kurofune. O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm; ¥89,056,000.
3–Justin Palace (Jpn), 128, c, 4, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Palace Rumor, by Royal Anthem. (¥190,000,000 Ylg '20 JRHAJUL). O-Masahiro Miki; B-Northern Farm; ¥55,528,000.
Margins: NK, 1, HD. Odds: 0.30, 54.70, 7.50.
Also Ran: Geraldina (Jpn), Deep Bond (Jpn), Pradaria (Jpn), Boccherini (Jpn), Vela Azul (Jpn), Geoglyph (Jpn), Dura Erede (Jpn), Ask Victor More (Jpn), Breakup (Jpn), Danon the Kid (Jpn), Mozu Bello (Jpn), Unicorn Lion (Ire), Karate (Jpn), Lilac (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart.

 

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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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Pair Can Add To Deep Impact’s Kikuka Sho Grab

With the winners of the first two legs of the Japanese Triple Crown–G1 Satsuki Sho hero Geoglyph (Jpn) (Drefong) and G1 Tokyo Yushun victor Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn})–targeting upcoming spots versus open rivals, Sunday's G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) looms a competitive affair, with a pair of colts from the penultimate crop of the last Deep Impact (Jpn)–who completed his own Triple Crown here in 2005–looming especially large. Deep Impact is already the sire of four Kikuka Sho winners.

Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was Group 1-placed over 10 furlongs as a juvenile, but did not make a serious impact in the first two legs of the Triple Crown, finishing ninth in the Guineas and in the Derby. Given a four-month break, the half-brother to the GI Belmont S. hero Palace Malice (Curlin) made a smashing return to action in the G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai Sept. 25, defeating Yaminin Zest (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S) by a resounding 3 1/2 lengths, with Boldog Hos (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) another half-length back in third.

 

 

 

“They did a good job with him at the farm before the Kobe Shimbun Hai,” said trainer Haruki Sugiyama, who will also saddle the well-fancied Gaia Force (Jpn), a son of 2015 Kikuka Sho hero Kitasan Black (Jpn). “The jockey also had some good contact with the horse before the race. In his last run, he easily got into a good position, and getting a good start does seem to be one of the keys with him.”

A ¥190 million (about $1.77 million) purchase out of the 2020 JRHA Select Yearling Sale, Justin Palace will need to be on his best gate behaviour from barrier 17.

Gaia Force is one of the fresh faces in the Kikuka Sho and is drawn at the other end of the stalls. Narrowly second to the Derby winner on debut last September, the gray has since won three of his last four, a track record-setting conditions success at Kokura (2000m in 1:56.80 July 3) and a head defeat of Ask Victor More (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in one of the Leger trials, the G2 Asahi Hai St Lite Kinen (2200m) at Nakayama Sept. 19.

 

 

 

“After winning in record time at Kokura, the switch to Nakayama with the extra distance and strong opposition was never going to be easy, but he ran above my expectations,” Sugiyama said. “We gave him a break at the farm afterwards, as it must have taken a lot out of him, but he seems fine on his return to the stable.”

Ask Victor More got the better of Do Deuce in the G2 Deep Impact Kinen in March before finishing a respectable fifth in the Satsuki Sho and third in the Tokyo Yushun. He was just held by Gaia Force last time, but can certainly improve for that first-up run.

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