Drawn widest in the field of 18, Geraldina was away without incident, but Cristian Demuro was left with no real option but to attempt to slot his mount in towards the back of the pack, as 82-1 Rosa Noir (Jpn) (Manhattan Cafe {Jpn}) made the running in advance of G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks heroine Magical Lagoon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Demuro had Geraldina positioned in the latter third of the field over a rain-affected course and raced as many as six paths off the inside, covering the well-bet G1 Shuka Sho runner-up Namur (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) while racing with the benefit of cover on the back of longshot Terzetto (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Improving her position as they hit the final turn, Geraldina was pulled out six or seven deep nearing the straight and had dead aim on Win Marilyn (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}), who overhauled Rosa Noir approaching the furlong pole. The two dueled for a stride or two, but Geraldina–a spitting image of her sire and dam–kicked on strongly despite the wide passage and proved a much-the-best winner. Lilac (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) was up on the wire to dead-heat for second, while defending champion Akai Ito (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) closed off well for fourth. Daring Tact (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) was only sixth as a somewhat suspect favourite. It was a third QE II win in four years for Sunday Racing, who were represented by Lucky Lilac (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in 2019 and 2020.

“I'm very happy I was able to win another Group 1 race,” said Demuro, whose brother Mirco was aboard Lilac. “The filly was traveling very well in the last corner, came out and gave a good turn of foot. The last time when she won [G2 Sankei Sho All Comers S. Sept. 25], it was a good race, so I was pretty confident with her. Gentildonna was a good filly and I think Geraldina can be like her dam.”

Demuro also carried the Sunday Racing colours aboard Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in this year's G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic.

Magical Lagoon, who was a bit uncooperative pre-start, raced handy to the pace, but began to struggle a half-mile from home and was effectively eased up in the final furlong with a clear alibi.

“We were able to race in a good position, but she likes quick ground and the rain, unfortunately, took her chance away,” said jockey Shane Foley. “I urged her to go from the third corner, but she didn't respond. I don't know why she didn't want to go into the gate because she's usually really good.”

Pedigree Notes:

Geraldina is the fourth Group 1 winner overall for Maurice and his second in Japan, joining Sprinters' S. hero Pixie Knight (Jpn). He has also been represented by Australian Derby hero Hitotsu (Aus) and Doomben 10,000 S. winner Mazu (Aus) from his shuttle missions to Arrowfield Stud.

Gentildonna is the second foal out of Donna Blini, who cost a mere £20,000 at the 2004 Doncaster St Leger yearling sale, but was purchased by Katsumi Yoshida just over two years later for 500,000gns ($1,014,038) owing to the filly's 12-1 upset in the G1 Cheveley Park S. for trainer Brian Meehan in 2005. Donna Blini was off to a flyer in the breeding shed, producing future MGSW & MG1SP Donau Blue (Jpn) to the cover of Deep Impact in 2008 and Gentildonna in 2009.

Winner of the Japanese Filly Triple Crown in 2012, Gentildonna defeated Orfevre in an epic renewal of the G1 Japan Cup that fall before successfully defending her title 12 months later. She carried Ryan Moore to a famous victory over Cirrus des Aigles (Fr) in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic when kept in training at five and closed her career with 7-1 score in the 2014 G1 Arima Kinen.

Gentildonna is also the dam of three-time maiden Marina Donna (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) and a yearling full-sister to Geraldina. She was barren to Epiphaneia (Jpn) for 2022.

Sunday, Hanshin, Japan
QUEEN ELIZABETH II CUP-G1, ¥ 253,400,000, Hanshin, 11-13, 3yo/up, f/m, 2200mT, 2:13, yl.
1–GERALDINA (JPN), 123, f, 4, by Maurice (Jpn)
1st Dam: Gentildonna (Jpn) (2x Horse of the Year, 2x Ch. Older Mare, Ch. 3yo Filly & MG1SW-Jpn, Hwt. Older Mare at 11-14f & G1SW-UAE, $18,468,392), by Deep Impact (Jpn)
2nd Dam: Donna Blini (GB), by Bertolini
3rd Dam: Cal Norma's Lady (Ire), by Lyphard's Special
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm; T-Takashi Saito; J-Cristian Demuro; ¥133,780,000. Lifetime Record: 16-6-2-2, ¥298,967,000. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
(DH)-2–Win Marilyn (Jpn), 123, m, 5, Screen Hero (Jpn)–Cosmo Cielo (Aus), by Fusaichi Pegasus. O-Win Inc; B-Cosmo View Farm; ¥43,310,000.
(DH)-2–Lilac (Jpn), 119, f, 3, Gold Ship (Jpn)–Viva Bouquet (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn). O-Seiichi Serizawa; B-Kineusu Farm; ¥43,310,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, (DH), 2HF. Odds: 7.10, (9.10, 51.90).
Also Ran: Akai Ito (Jpn), Namur (Jpn), Daring Tact (Jpn), Ho O Emmy's (Jpn), Ruby Casablanca (Jpn), Pin High (Jpn), Izu Jo no Kiseki (Jpn), Kurino Premium (Jpn), Terzetto (Jpn), Rosa Noir (Jpn), Stunning Rose (Jpn), Win Kiitos (Jpn), Win Mighty (Jpn), Andvaranaut (Jpn), Magical Lagoon (Ire). Click for the JRA chart.

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It has been a magical season, indeed, for Yuesheng Zhang's talented bay filly, who used a runner-up effort in the Listed Salsabil S. at Navan in late April as a springboard to an 11-4 success in the G2 Ribblesdale S. at Royal Ascot in June. The Tattersalls October graduate, trained by Jessica Harrington, got the better of a final-furlong tussle with Toy (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) to take out the Irish Oaks July 16 (video) and fought out the fractions in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks last time Aug. 18 only to fade into fifth behind future G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), recent winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Shane Foley putting raider 3f MAGICAL LAGOON through her fast work this morning on the Hanshin Dirt

The Royal Ascot and Irish Oaks winner peeled off a deft 12.4 final 1F

Impressive stuff, will take a power of beating on Sunday #HeroIsComing pic.twitter.com/nPJgzv9iPF

— Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) November 9, 2022

While G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) winner Stars on Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) misses this, the season's Classic form is strongly represented. Namur (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) defeated Pin High (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}) in Group 2 company in March, but was a disappointing 10th in the G1 Oka Sho the following month. An improved third in the Oaks, she exits a runner-up effort behind perfect-trip Stunning Rose (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) in the G1 Shuka Sho Oct. 16 (video), in which Stars on Earth was desperately unlucky to lose her Triple Crown bid.

“She is still a young horse and there should be more to come from her,” said trainer Tomokazu Takano. “With just three weeks between races, we've been careful with her, giving her slow canters and checking how she takes the bit when running uphill. She was third in the Japanese Oaks, so the distance should be good this time.”

Daring Tact (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) won the 2020 Oaks, but her career has been a bit stop-start since. A good third to Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in Hong Kong's G1 FWD QE II Cup in 2021, the 5-year-old has made just three starts since, her best outcome a sound third behind Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen in June. She was most recently beaten into sixth as the favorite behind the immaculately bred Geraldina (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}–Gentildonna {Jpn}) in the G2 All Comers S. Sept. 25.

Moore is in Japan on a short-term contract following his Breeders' Cup three-timer last weekend. He takes the reins aboard the Classic-placed 4-year-old filly Andvaranaut (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}).

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Missing her break from stall 16, four-year-old Akai Ito traveled fifth from last and advanced boldly turning the last two corners wide to enter the lane in third. The four-year-old brown continued to accelerate powerfully in the stretch, pinning race-favorite Lei Papale passing the 200-meter pole, and easily held off the rest of the field with her incredible late drive that marked the fastest last three furlongs in the field for a two-length victory.

“As she seemed to be a bit tense when I trained her the other day, I tried to race her in her own rhythm. Though I could not break her smoothly out of the gate, I was able to eventually race her in the intended position at the backstretch. I was confident that she will stretch well at the end and, because it was a G1 race, I made bid earlier than usual. We were able to take the front earlier than I had expected and, as there was no horse right behind us, I just kept on urging her to go until,” commented Hideaki Miyuki.

Seventh choice Stellaria, another Kizuna filly, broke smoothly and settled around seventh to eighth from the front. The three-year-old dark bay rounded the last two corners the widest of the field, persistently chased the leaders in the straight and produced a remarkable turn of speed in the last 100 meters to cross the wire in second.

Ninth pick Clavel saved ground around 14th behind eventual winner, found a narrow space entering the homestretch, showed the tied third fastest late drive between horses and closed in on Stellaria but was neck short in third.

Race favorite Lei Papale settled around fourth, advanced in the last two corners and was leading the field when entering the stretch. The Deep Impact filly, however, lost momentum in the last 200 meters and succumbed to sixth.

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The bay filly got a relatively late start to her career, only debuting in January of 2020, and missed the 3-year-old filly classics, but quietly made her way through the grades and capped a five-for-five campaign with a 1 1/2-length victory in the G3 Challenge Cup at this venue in December. Set a seemingly tall task against the likes of Triple Crown hero Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) when first-up in the G1 Osaka Hai (2000mT) Apr. 4, she relished easy underfoot conditions to score by four lengths. But tried over the metric 11 furlongs in her last two, Lei Papale was third to world-class Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}) in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen June 27 and a more confounding fourth to Win Marilyn (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) in the G2 All Comers S. at Nakayama.

“I don't think she found her best rhythm throughout the race, but she did find the front briefly in the home straight, and showed what ability she has,” trainer Tomokazu Takano said of the All Comers. “The extra furlong just found her out, so the key will be getting her to stay that little bit more.”

There are no such distance concerns surrounding Akaitorino Musume (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who was fractionally unlucky not to win the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) going 2400m at Tokyo May 23, but atoned for that tough loss with a slashing victory from a high draw in the G1 Shuka Sho (2000mT) at this track Oct. 17.

“She ran a good race in the Shuka Sho, which was her first race in a while, and ran smoothly despite drawing an outside gate, so I was very pleased,” said trainer Sakae Kunieda. “She quickly recovered from the race, and getting her back in work has been an easy task.”

Akaitorino Musume's two-time champion and Triple Crown-winning dam Apapane (Jpn) (King Kamahemeha {Jpn}) was third in this race in 2010 and 2011.

Had she not conquered America in last weekend, Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) would have been the one to beat in this test, but her close relative Terzetto (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is also not without a shot as she stretches out markedly in trip. The 4-year-old, whose dam Raddolcendo (Jpn) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) is a half-sister to the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner, is six for eight lifetime, but her best form is over a mile, including a last-out success in the G3 Lord Derby Challenge Trophy at Hakodate Aug. 1.

Stellaria (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) was ridden forward in the Yushun Himba and weakened out late to finish 13th at odds of less than 10-1, but she wasn't embarrassed in the Shuka Sho, where she was ridden colder and finished with interest to be sixth. The extra 200 metres of this test should suit.

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There are eighteen nominations for this year's Queen Elizabeth II Cup, including recent Grade 1 Shuka Sho winner Akaitorino Musume. As a 3-year-old filly, she'll be able to claim a 2kg allowance, whereas 4-year-olds and up are allotted 56kg. There were originally three runners nominated from overseas, but none of them will take a place in the final line-up. The race hasn't been kind to first favorites in the last ten years, with just two heading the market and going on to win. Third favorites have fared better, taking out four of the last ten races. 4-year-olds have been dominant over the same time period, winning on six occasions. Record time for the race was set just last year, when Lucky Lilac (now retired) won the race for the second year in a row, setting a time of 2 minutes 10.3 seconds, although it must be remembered that last year the race was also run at Hanshin, not its regular venue Kyoto. The winner's check this time around is JPY105 million (approximately USD 1 million).

The Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup will be Race 11 on the Sunday card at Hanshin, with a post time locally of 15:40. The final field and the barrier draw will be available later in the week.

Here's a look at some of the fillies and mares expected to take on the race:

Akaitorino Musume: The 3-year-old filly by Deep Impact managed to go one better last time than she did in the Grade 1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) back in May, when winning the Grade 1 Shuka Sho over 2,000 meters at Hanshin in October. It's a fairly tight rotation, but trainer Sakae Kunieda feels the horse is coping with everything just fine. “She ran a good race in the Shuka Sho, which was her first race in a while, and ran smoothly despite drawing an outside gate, so I was very pleased. She quickly recovered from the race, and getting her back in work has been an easy task,” said the trainer recently. The filly is now four wins from her seven career starts, and jockey Keita Tosaki is expected to ride her again here.

Lei Papale: Another filly by Deep Impact, her stunning six-win streak finally came to an end in the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen back in June, when she finished third, and most recently she had to settle for fourth in the Grade 2 Sankei Sho All Comers over 2,200 meters at Nakayama in September. It would seem she just has to find a bit more over the extended distance. Trainer Tomokazu Takano commented: “In the All Comers last time, I don't think she found her best rhythm throughout the race, but she did find the front briefly in the homestraight, and showed what ability she has. The extra furlong just found her out, so the key will be getting her to stay that little bit more.” Connections have been quick to secure the services of Christophe Lemaire this time, so a big run can be expected from Lei Papale.

Win Marilyn: Winner of the Grade 2 Sankei Sho All Comers at Nakayama on her last start, the 4-year-old filly by Screen Hero looks set for a run here, and before her last victory she finished a creditable fifth in this year's Grade 1 Tenno Sho (Spring) back in May. Trainer Takahisa Tezuka said, “She ran very well last time when taking on the male horses, especially when you consider she hadn't run in a while. She had an operation on a leg swelling a while ago, and after this last race it flared up a bit and she had a fever, but we've kept her at the stable since and she's been back in work recently. She's running slightly awkwardly, but I expect that to improve.”

Win Kiitos: As with Win Marilyn, Win Kiitos was also bred at Cosmo View Farm, but is a daughter of Gold Ship, who claimed his first Grade 1 as a sire earlier this year. Win Kiitos won the Grade 2 Meguro Kinen over 2,500 meters back in May at Tokyo, and is coming off a second place finish in the Grade 2 Sankei Sho All Comers. “In recent training, I intended her to do a five-furlong piece of work solo in about 70 seconds, but in front of the stand she ended up running with a horse from another stable and got quite switched on. Consequently, her time was faster than expected. She's in good shape though, and things are pretty much going according to plan,” said trainer Yoshitada Munakata. The trainer is looking for his first ever JRA Grade 1 victory.

Terzetto: Looking like jockey Mirco Demuro's big race ride, the improving filly by Deep Impact is now six wins from eight career starts. Trainer Shoichiro Wada was pleased with her latest win in the Grade 3 Hokkaido Shimbun Hai Queen Stakes over 1,800 meters at Hakodate in August. “The jockey managed to get the best out of the horse last time, especially with a great turn of foot at the end of the race. She was relaxed, and it was just a short distance from the paddock to the track, so this helped her stay calm,” stated the trainer. Terzetto has run beyond 1,800 meters just once, when finishing third over 2,000 meters at Nakayama as a 3-year-old.

Des Ailes: Another filly by Deep Impact, the 4-year-old still boasts an almost 50% win strike rate, despite finishing outside the first three in her last two starts, an 8th in the Grade 1 Victoria Mile in May, and a disappointing 16th of 18 last time in the Grade 2 Ireland Trophy Fuchu Himba Stakes at Tokyo in October. Trainer Yasuo Tomomichi is not too worried about her latest run. ”It was unlike her to drop out of the race like she did last time, and since being back at the stable she seems her usual self. I think in the summer when she was at the farm, she obviously wasn't being prepared for a race, and it showed in that last run. I think we're in a much better place now that she's got a race under her,” commented the trainer.

Rambling Alley: As with Des Ailes, Rambling Alley carries the colors of the Shadai Race Horse Co. Ltd. and is a stablemate of the former. Every race she's taken on this year has been a graded one, so her experience in those races points to a likely good run in this one too. She finished second in the Grade 1 Victoria Mile in May, and last time out she was seventh in the Grade 2 Sankei Sho All Comers over 2,200 meters at Nakayama in September. Of the 5-year-old mare, trainer Yasuo Tomomichi said: “She got a bit too far back last time and wasn't suited by the pace, but it wasn't a bad result. She's been working well in training and there's no change with her.” The trainer has thirteen JRA Grade 1 wins, but they don't include a win in this race, although it looks as if he'll be well represented here this time if both his runners get a start.

Clavel: The 4-year-old filly by Epiphaneia has been in the first three eight times from her twelve-race career, and her graded race experience, while limited, has been quite impressive. Most recently she produced a great late run in what was a tough race, the Grade 3 Niigata Kinen over 2,000 meters in September. Trainer Shogo Yasuda said, “She has done well before, saving ground in races and showing a good late turn of foot, but in her last race, she really flew home in a good final three-furlong time. It took a bit out of her, so she's had a rest at the farm, but on returning to the stable, she's currently running with a good rhythm.” The trainer is seeking his first JRA Grade 1 success.

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After her Osaka Hai victory in April, the 2017 Best Two-Year-Old Filly finished sixth in the Takarazuka Kinen (G1, 2,200m) in June and third in the following Sapporo Kinen (G2, 2,000m) in August before claiming her fourth G1 title in this race. This win marked trainer Mikio Matsunaga's sixth career JRA-G1 title (including steeplechases) following Lucky Lilac's Osaka Hai victory. Jockey Christophe Lemaire who partnered with the mare for the first time captured his 33rd JRA-G1 win following his Tenno Sho (Autumn) title with Almond Eye just two weeks ago and his second Queen Elizabeth II Cup title following his win in 2008 with Little Amapola.

Breaking smoothly from the outermost draw, Lucky Lilac settled in mid-division behind Loves Only You, around 12th from the front, edged forward toward the end of the backstretch and continued to advance turning the corners wide. The defending champion immediately made bid entering the corner, assumed command 300 meters out and held off the strong charges from behind in the last 100 meters to cross the wire a neck in front.

“The outermost draw was a concern but we were able to race smoothly and advance our position from the third corner. She was very composed and gave her usual turn of speed. We took the front early in the stretch but she held on well until the end. She's a strong horse. She has been racing at the top level since her two-year-old season and I had confidence in her,” commented Christophe Lemaire

Fifth choice Salacia traveled wide toward the rear, around 14th, while eyeing the race favorite on the outside. The Deep Impact mare took a wide route rounding the final corner and dislodged a powerful late charge that timed the fastest last three furlongs to nail Loves Only You before the wire but was a neck short to finish second.

Third favorite Loves Only You traveled around 11th, made headway after being overtaken by the eventual winner and angled wide for the stretch run. The four-year-old bay showed the second fastest late charge to close in on the winner but had too much to make up while surrendering the runner-up seat to Salacia before the wire for third.

Other Horses:
4th: (12) Win Marilyn—tracked leaders in 3rd, ran willingly along rails, weakened in final strides
5th: (8) Centelleo—settled 3rd from rear, angled out, showed belated charge
6th: (4) Soft Fruit—sat in 5th, ran gamely until 200m pole, failed to sustain bid
7th: (5) Ria Amelia—tracked distant leader in 2nd, chased winner but weakened in last 200m
8th: (1) Shadow Diva—traveled around 7th along rails, outrun between 3rd and final corner, passed tired rivals
9th: (2) Something Just—took economic trip in 4th, boxed in turning last corners, even paced
10th: (16) Miss New York—ran around 9th, showed brief effort until 200m pole
11th: (14) Satono Garnet—settled in 2nd from rear, circled wide, never fired
12th: (3) Lune Rouge—saved ground around 9th, lacked needed kick while met traffic at 200m pole
13th: (15) Uranus Charm—sat 3-wide around 14th, advanced and entered in 3rd to lane, ran out of steam
14th: (9) Win Mighty—raced around 7th, met traffic 300m out, showed little
15th: (7) Rosa Glauca—broke poorly, hugged rails around 12th, found little room rounding last corners
16th: (6) Normcore—set pace, 5-6 lengths in front of rest of field in backstretch, faded after 200m pole
17th: (17) Espoir—traveled around 5th early, improved position, outrun after final corner
18th: (10) Caro Bambina—disadvantage at break, trailed in rear, no factor

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The daughter of American Grade I winner Lilacs and Lace (Flower Alley) led home a female one-two in the G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) at this track in early April, besting the talented Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}), before finishing sixth to that rival in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen over course and distance June 28. Last year’s G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase runner-up has a single appearance since, a sound third to the re-opposing Normcore (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) in the G2 Sapporo Kinen Aug. 23 in the far northern part of Japan. She’ll have to work out a trip from gate 18 with Christophe Lemaire in the saddle.

“After the Takarazuka Kinen, she was in good shape so I decided to race her in the Sapporo Kinen and, despite the long haul to the venue and all, she really tried hard, as she does,” trainer Mikio Matsunaga commented. “She returned to Ritto about a month again and has gotten a lot of work. She looked good this week too.”

Mirco Demuro, who has been aboard Lucky Lilac for all four of her runs this season, has the call atop 2019 G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) victress Loves Only You (Jpn), one of seven daughters of the late Deep Impact (Jpn) in the field of 18. Third, beaten 1 1/2 lengths in this event last year, the bay filly has yet to break through in three starts this term and was fractionally disappointing when only fifth to Salacia (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G2 Fuchu Himba S. at Tokyo Oct. 17.

Centelleo (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) looms an interesting alternative to the three market leaders. Fourth and not beaten far in last year’s QE II, the 5-year-old missed narrowly in the G3 Mermaid S. in June and prepped for this with a runner-up effort to 2019 G1 Japan Cup second-place finisher Curren Bouquetd’or (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G2 All Comers S. over this trip at Nakayama Sept. 27.

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Unlike other years, the Yodo fall tradition will be held, not at Kyoto Racecourse, but at Hanshin, due to the massive renovation under way at the former. It's not the first time the all-female Grade 1 will be held at Hanshin. Hanshin hosted the 2,200-meter turf competition back in 1979, the year the current Kyoto grandstand was built.

This year marks the 45th running of the Queen Elizabeth II Cup. The race, which used to serve as the final leg of the filly triple crown, was opened to older females in 1996, and since then, first prize has gone to a 3-year-old only eight times. This year, 19 fillies and mares aged 3 to 5 have been nominated to fill the race's 18 berths.

There are three Grade 1 winners in the mix – last year's champion Lucky Lilac, 2019 Japanese Oaks winner Loves Only You and the 2019 Victoria Mile victor Normcore. Youth figures strongly in this year's field. Six youngsters are set to go up against the formidable older ladies, and though none of the 3-year-olds are Grade 1 winners, participating will be this year's Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) runner-up Win Marilyn and third-place finisher Win Mighty, as well as the third-place finisher in the Shuka Sho, Soft Fruit.

The difference in venues, however, will make study of past results largely moot. The courses are similarly shaped and at both the race starts far to the right of the grandstand. Races are also run to the right at both Kyoto and Hanshin (the inner and outer course, respectively), but there are marked differences in their respective 2,200-meter courses.

At Hanshin, the distance to the first turn is more than half a furlong longer than at Kyoto, allowing for more room to maneuver from the break. And, the track is downhill, resulting in faster first lap times. At Kyoto there is a significant backstretch upgrade, which causes speed to pick up as the track drops turning out of the backstretch and disadvantage horses on the outside around the turn and into the straight.

Additionally, at Hanshin, there is a slight hill just before the finish line that starts 200 meters out and rises two meters over about 150 meters.

Also, rather than a brilliant final burst of speed, the Hanshin 2,200 (its most notable race being the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen) tends more to favor horses who can run at a good steady speed over a long distance. But the homestretch is shorter than Kyoto's and adds to the fun.

Here's a look at some standouts:

Lucky Lilac – A big chestnut like her sire Orfevre, Lucky Lilac is expected to be the favorite Sunday. Highly consistent, the 5-year-old mare suffered her only finish out of Top 3 since spring 2019 in this year's Takarazuka Kinen. She had won the Grade 1 Osaka Hai over the Hanshin 2,000 meters before that and last out, in the Grade 2 Sapporo Kinen, she finished third after racing in second position and leaving herself open to studied attack. Lucky Lilac was runnerup in the last year's Hong Kong Vase and, amid all-female competition, will be a hard one to beat. The relatively long time between races, however, is a concern. “She went to the farm after her last race and was back at Ritto on Oct. 9,” says trainer and former jockey Mikio Matsunaga, “but she didn't quite meet expectations in her work Nov. 4, though still moved well. She has come along well though and this time, I think it'll be ideal if she can hold back and race from midfield like she did last year.”

Loves Only You – The 4-year-old Loves Only You, by Deep Impact, finished third here last year and had preceded that six months earlier with a win of the Japanese Oaks. This year, she was already in Dubai when racing was cancelled and started the year with the Grade 1 Victoria Mile and a seventh-place result. Though she won a 1-win class race over the distance, the mile has never been her best. The Victoria Mile was followed with a second in the Grade 3 Naruo Kinen at Hanshin, after which she returned a full 12 kg heavier nearly four months later to take on her first heavy track, resulting in a fifth-place finish in the Oct. 17 Grade 2 Fuchu Himba Stakes. Improvement is expected. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi is on a roll this year and looking to scoop his fifth Grade 1 win of 2020.

Normcore – The Harbinger-sired 5-year-old Normcore beat the boys and topped the field in the Sapporo Kinen last start and put 2 1/2 lengths between her and Lucky Lilac in doing so. Though most of her recent outings have been over the mile, including a 4th-place finish in this year's Yasuda Kinen only 0.1 seconds behind Almond Eye and her record win of the Victoria Mile in 2018, Normcore has scored two of her career six wins over 10 furlongs. She was fifth here in 2018. As a half-sister to Chrono Genesis (runnerup in this year's Osaka Hai and winner of the Takarazuka Kinen), Normcore should find the 2,200 meters within her grasp. Trainer Kiyoshi Hagiwara plans to ship his mare in from the east early. “I want to make the trip to Hanshin on Thursday or Friday. I really want her to land another Grade 1.” The 52-year-old Norihiro Yokoyama is expected to be in the saddle and is gunning for his first win of the race since 1990, a feat that would set a JRA record for a jockey's longest span between wins of the same Grade 1.

Salacia – Another 5-year-old and daughter of Deep Impact, Salacia won her first graded-stakes race with victory in the Grade 2 Fuchu Himba Stakes. Her third bid at the Grade 1 level, Salacia finished a close sixth here last year, only 0.4 seconds behind Lucky Lilac. Her four wins from 18 starts have come at 1,600-1,800 meters and she is 4-4-3-6-9 in contests 2,000 meters and up. However, the switch to Hanshin, with its shorter homestretch will be a plus for Salacia. On the other hand, a strike against her is that she has never win amid a big field. Excluding her debut win, her other three wins have come in fields numbering 10, 12 and 8. And, in her five starts with 17 or more in the lineup, she has never fared better than fourth place.

Win Marilyn – A 3-year-old by Screen Hero, Win Marilyn returned after a five-month layoff following her second in the Japanese Oaks to disappoint with a 15th place in the Shuka Sho on Oct. 18. Her three wins from four starts before the Oaks were all over 2,000 meters, and considering that it was her first time to ship west, that she was up 12 kg, and the fact that she'll carry 2 kg less than the mares and be well prepped to run, Win Marilyn is not one to overlook.

Others to watch are: The 3-year-old Soft Fruit was third in the Shuka Sho after pre-race tensions, a slow break, and having to cover extra ground going into the stretch. She finished only 0.3 seconds behind Daring Tact, who clinched the filly triple crown. A better trip could stand her well. Fourth here last year, Centelleo won her first graded-stakes race and her second race over the distance last out in the Grade 2 Sankei Sho All Comers at Nakayama 2,200-meter in a field that included Curren Bouquetd'or, runnerup in the 2019 Japan Cup. Win Mighty is 1-3-6-9 at 2,000 meters and up and was slow out of the gate the last two starts. Her win was over the Hanshin 2,000 meter on a slightly heavy track. If she can break sharply, she may be able to improve her score.

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