Tag: Osaka Hai

Ageless Take Shuts ‘D’Or’ On Osaka Hai Rivals

Having celebrated his 54th birthday less than three weeks ago, Yutaka Take became the oldest jockey in the history of the Japanese turf to win at Group 1 level after putting a well-rationed ride aboard second favourite Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) in Sunday's G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) at Hanshin Racecourse. Reigning champion 3-year-old filly Stars on Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) found no luck in running for a second straight race and fell just short, while Danon the Kid (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}) checked in a close third.

The expected pacesetter from gate nine, the flashy chestnut hit the ground running and led from the outposted North the World (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), as two-time Classic winner Stars on Earth was involved in a bit of a chain reaction at the break that saw her exchange bumps with Killer Ability (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), relegating her to a position towards the rear. Allowed to bowl along, as is his wont, Jack d'Or covered the opening 800 metres in :47.5 seconds, but really picked up the pace from there, clocking an internal half-mile in :46 flat from the 1200m to the 400m while still racing well within himself.

Firmly on top as they hit the Hanshin straight, Jack d'Or continued to find even as Danon the Kid–who had sat a perfect trip one out and one back–came to challenge at the furlong grounds. But under vigorous urging from Take, Jack d'Or kept on doggedly to prevail by the minimum margin. Stars on Earth, on hold on the turn, raced in traffic in the final 300 metres, but charged through between a tiring Hishi Iguazu (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and third choice Weltreisende (Jpn) (Dream Journey {Jpn}) and rattled home to just fail. She covered her final three furlongs in a race-fastest :34.4 while making her first start since a troubled second in the G1 Shuka Sho when attempting a sweep of the Filly Triple Crown last October. Danon the Kid, who came in on and bothered Killer Ability at the start, held for third.

“I was hoping to take the front if we could get a good start,” said Take, commonly referred to as 'Legend'. “He was a bit keen to go in the first two corners, but raced in good rhythm thereafter. I think it was tough for him because of the headwind in the straight, but I had a feeling that we were able to hold off the chasing horses when we crossed the wire.”

It was an 80th career Group 1 for Take, and, reflecting on that achievement, he said: “I owe it to all the many great horses I was able to ride, and I will do my best to extend this record even further.”

A well-backed fifth in this race last year, Jack d'Or–whose 14 career starts have all come over 10 furlongs–outgamed future G1 Saudi Cup winner Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in the G2 Sapporo Kinen last August before finishing a close fourth to Horse of the Year and recent G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic hero Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) in October. With Take at the controls for the first time, Jack d'Or was a lacklustre seventh in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup when last seen Dec. 11.

Pedigree Notes:

Jack d'Or, purchased for just over $320,000 at the 2019 Hokkaido Selected Yearling Sale, is the fifth top-level winner worldwide for his sire and his third in Japan (Geraldina {Jpn}, a sneaky-good sixth Sunday and top sprinter Pixie Knight {Jpn}). Maurice is also the sire of Hitotsu (Aus) and Mazu (Aus) from his shuttle missions to Arrowfield Stud in Australia. Jack d'Or is the 31st Group 1/Grade I winner out of a daughter of Unbridled's Song, who has also been responsible for Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn) and additional G1SWs Danon Platina (Jpn), Suave Richard (Jpn) and Toho Jackal (Jpn) in Japan.

Bred and raced by Sheikh Maktoum al Maktoum's Gainsborough Farm, Ravarino is a daughter of Sous Entendu, trained for Gainsborough by Criquette Head to a third-place effort in the 1990 G3 Prix de la Grotte who would go on to produce the listed-winning and G2 Dante S. third Slip Stream (Irish River {Fr}) as well as dual US graded winner Porte Bonheur (Hennessy). Jack d'Or's third dam was the champion 2-year-old filly of 1978 in America and the deeper family includes globetrotting multi-jurisdiction Group 1/Grade I winner State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}); multiple Group 1/Grade I winner Storming Home (GB) (Machiavellian); G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Musical Chimes (In Excess {Ire}); and five-time Grade I winner Music Note (A.P. Indy), the dam of 'TDN Rising Star', G1 Dubai World Cup winner and Darley America stallion Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper).

Ravarino is represented by the once-raced 3-year-old colt Crown Romagna (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), the 2-year-old filly Marino El Dorado (Jpn) (Rey de Oro {Jpn}) and a yearling full-sister to Jack d'Or. The mare, whose last seven foals have been chestnut in colour, is due once again to Maurice for her 2023 produce.

 

 

Sunday, Hanshin, Japan
OSAKA HAI-G1, ¥384,860,000, Hanshin, 4-2, 4yo/up, 2000mT, 1:57.40, fm.
1–JACK D'OR (JPN), 128, h, 5, by Maurice (Jpn)
1st Dam: Ravarino, by Unbridled's Song
2nd Dam: Sous Entendu, by Shadeed
3rd Dam: It's in the Air, by Mr. Prospector
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (¥34,560,000 Ylg '19 HOKSEL). O-Toshiyuki Maehara; B-Crown Hidaka Farm; T-Kenichi Fujioka; J-Yutaka Take; ¥203,402,000. Lifetime Record: 14-8-2-0, ¥675,444,000. Werk Nick Rating: A+ (1 SW). Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com pedigree.
2–Stars on Earth (Jpn), 123, f, 4, Duramente (Jpn)–Southern Stars (GB), by Smart Strike. O-Shadai Race Horse; B-Shadai Farm; ¥80,972,000.
3–Danon the Kid (Jpn), 128, h, 5, Just a Way (Jpn)–Epic Love (Ire), by Dansili (GB). (¥100,000,000 Wlg '18 JRHAJUL). O-Danox Inc; B-Northern Farm; ¥ 50,486,000.
Margins: NO, NK, 2. Odds: 2.60, 2.40, 31.80.
Also Ran: Matenro Leo (Jpn), Maria Elena (Jpn), Geraldina (Jpn), Hishi Iguazu (Jpn), North Bridge (Jpn), Weltreisende (Jpn), Potager (Jpn), Lagulf (Jpn), Moze Bello (Jpn), Killer Ability (Jpn), Wonderful Town (Jpn), North the World (Jpn), Hindu Times (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart.

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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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Horse of the Year Efforia Resumes in Osaka Hai

A bit more than three months removed from a championship-clinching victory in the G1 Arima Kinen, Japan's reigning Horse of the Year Efforia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) makes a much-anticipated return to the races in a high-class renewal of the G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) at Hanshin Racecourse.

Winner of six of his seven career starts, the bay son of Katies Heart (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) won the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) by three easy lengths and looked all over a winner of the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) before being chinned on the wire by last weekend's G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic hero Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Efforia beat Triple Crown and subsequent G1 Japan Cup winner Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) on the square when resuming in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) over this trip Oct. 31 and locked up Horse of the Year honours in the fan-voted Arima Kinen on Boxing Day.

“He came back to the stable from Northern Farm Tenei on Mar. 4, and his weight was around 530kg,” commented trainer Yuichi Shikato. “This has given us some leeway with his training, and while last time he did have a slight hoof issue, this isn't a problem now. He has been running with a good rhythm and all's well with him so far.”

 

 

 

It will have been a busy weekend for one-time Japanese Horse of the Year Maurice (Jpn), with three runners in the G1 Australian Derby at The Championships on Saturday and the highly progressive Jack d'Or (Jpn) in the Osaka Hai. Raced exclusively over the metric 10 furlongs in his nine visits to the races to date, the bald-faced chestnut has won five on the trot, including a front-running, 2 1/2-length defeat of this race's defending champion Lei Papale (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and the re-opposing Akai Ito (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the G2 Kinko Sho at Chukyo Mar. 13. Each of the mares was first-up last time, with Lei Papale having finished sixth to Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup and Akai Ito a midfield seventh in the Arima Kinen.

Hishi Iguazu (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) was a cracking fifth first off an eight-month absence behind Efforia in the Tenno Sho and came from well back in the field to nearly upset Loves Only You when last seen at Sha Tin.

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Heavy Hitters Return in Japan

The once-beaten Lei Papale (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and reigning G1 Tokyo Yushun hero Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) each return to begin their autumn preps in Group 2 events Sunday in Japan.

Carrot Racing's Lei Papale worked her way through the grades in under-the-radar fashion, missing the 3-year-old filly Classics while running the table in five starts, including a breakthrough success at group level as the lone female in a field of 11 in the G3 Challenge Cup at Hanshin last December. Connections could scarcely have selected a more demanding 4-year-old debut for Lei Papale in the G1 Osaka Hai, hooking a field that included 2020 Triple Crown champion Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), fellow Derby winner Wagnerian (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and multiple champion Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).

Contested in miserable conditions and in testing ground, Lei Papale made the lead beneath Yuga Kawada and had plenty left late to cause an 11-1 upset (see below). She has one run since, a third to the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe-bound Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}) in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen over 2200 metres June 27.

Lei Papale has gate 12 in a field of 16 for the G2 Sankei Sho All Comers S. at Nakayama and is drawn just to the outside of G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase hero Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the 11-furlong test.

 

WATCH: Lei Papale dusts a classy field in the G1 Osaka Hai

 

Campaigned in the colours of Sunday Racing Co. Ltd., Shahryar makes his return to action in Sunday's age-restricted G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai (2200mT) at Chukyo. A maiden winner in a single juvenile appearance at Kyoto last October, the dark bay was third to future G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) hero Efforia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) at Group 3 level in February, took out the G3 Mainichi Hai the following month and became the second foal from Dubai Majesty (Essence of Dubai) to win the Japanese Derby, just nosing out Efforia in the Tokyo centrepiece when last seen May 30 (video). Shahryar's full-brother Al Ain (Jpn) was victorious in the 2017 Derby.

Shahryar breaks from the widest alley in a field of 10 in a field that also includes Stella Veloce (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}), a Group 3-winning juvenile who was third in both the 2000 Guineas and Derby.

Top-level racing returns to Japan a week from Sunday with the running of the G1 Sprinters' S. (1200mT) at Nakayama. The JRA tracks stage one Group 1 event on all but two weekends between now and the end of the year, highlighted by the US$5.8-million Longines Japan Cup at Tokyo Nov. 28.

 

WATCH: Shahryar gets up in time in this year's Japanese Derby

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