Tag: Yuga Kawada

Japan’s Big Guns Take To the Meydan Turf

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — In the form of Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Japan is liable to field the favourites for the distance turf races at Saturday's Dubai World Cup meeting and those two gallopers, as well as several of their compatriots, did fast work over the Meydan course Wednesday morning.

Do Deuce would likely have been at the top of the markets for last year's G1 Dubai Turf, but was withdrawn in the days leading up to the race, helping pave the way for a third consecutive victory by Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The reigning G1 Arima Kinen scorer was one of the first onto the track just after 5am Wednesday morning and quickened up nicely down the stretch (see below).

Though he clearly possesses the scope to see out a longer trip, connections have instead chosen the nine-furlong distance of the Dubai Turf.

“I considered the Sheema Classic as well and we discussed it with Yutaka Take,” trainer Yasuo Tomomichi said during a Wednesday press conference. “The Sheema Classic tends to be a race which benefits the front-runners or those with a good position. For Do Deuce's racing style, we both agreed that the Dubai Turf is a race where horses can win from anywhere.”

 

 

Japanese gallopers have won five of the last nine renewals of the Dubai Turf, including Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), who dead-heated with Lord North in 2022. The Tomomichi-trained Vivlos (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was victorious in 2017 with Joao Moreira up.

Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) have scooped the last two renewals of the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, and Liberty Island has her claims to make it three on the trot and six overall, dating back to Stay Gold (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) in 2001.

Last seen finishing five lengths adrift of Equinox and just ahead of fellow G1 Yushun Himba heroine Stars on Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) in the G1 Japan Cup in late November, Liberty Island wasn't asked for much, but ran on nicely Wednesday morning, with Yuga Kawada along for the ride.

“This is her first time travelling internationally and all has gone well so far,” said Kawada. “It was a good gallop this morning and we are happy.”

Added stable representative Yuya Katayama: “Everything went perfectly and according to plan. She switched on when Yuga Kawada rode her today. Today was just about keeping her condition, that's it–nothing more.”

Christophe Lemaire teamed up once again with Stars on Earth, second in the Arima Kinen last time, and said: “I gradually sped up in her breeze this morning. She remained calm throughout and reacted very well. Her condition is great and the ground in Dubai suits her. Stars On Earth is a very easy horse to ride and I am confident about her this weekend.”

Namur (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), who beat the boys in the G1 Mile Championship and was third to Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) and the re-opposing Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile, prepped for the Dubai Turf when galloping over 600 metres behind Liberty Island and Stars on Earth.

Shahryar also had a turf gallop as he looks for a second Sheema Classic in three years, as did Danon Beluga (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), runner-up in last year's Dubai Turf. Cristian Demuro rides Shahryar, while Moreira has a return assignment aboard Danon Beluga.

 

 

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Japan’s Remake Turns the Tables in Riyadh Dirt Sprint

The Japan contingent went two-for-two in the major races early on Saudi Cup Day as Koichi Shintani's REMAKE (JPN) (h, 5, Lani–Sariel {Jpn}, by King Kamehameha {Jpn}) rallied powerfully in the $1.5-million G3 Sports Boulevard Riyadh Dirt Sprint to run down Steve Asmussen's Skelly (Practical Joke), while Bill Mott's Bold Journey (Hard Spun) got up late for third. In a notable twist, the same trio of conditioners also finished in the top three in the race in 2023, albeit in a very different order. The victory by a Japan-based horse was the third in five editions of the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, with Dancing Prince (Jpn) (Pas De Trois {Jpn}) taking the 2022 renewal and Copano Kicking (Spring At Last) winning in 2021.

“If Remake showed his performance, I was pretty sure he was going to get there,” said Shintani. “But as he got beaten last year it was so disappointing, so we spoke with the staff and tried to better that performance. I think he is at an advantage that he can race from anywhere and that is his strength.”

A bit of roughhousing shook up the outside horses as the gates flew, but Remake broke cleanly to their inside and was unbothered. The chestnut angled over to the rail behind the second flight as the first 400 metres registered in :23.44 and a trio up front showed the way. Japan's well-traveled Jasper Krone (Frosted) held a narrow lead between horses 800 metres on (:46.05) as Skelly threatened only briefly before safely taking the controls. At the same time, Remake floated out wide off the turn for a clear run from behind and relentlessly closed down the lane, full of run, as Skelly shortened stride. Rider Yuga Kawada put away his right-handed stick and kept his mount under a hand ride for the final strides, waving his hand to acknowledge the victory at the wire. Skelly held second while Bold Journey rallied late to best Jasper Krone, making his first start on dirt, for third. The final time for the 1200 metres was a sharp 1:10.42.

“I have won three Japan Derbies but this is even more,” said winning owner Koji Maeda. “When he came into the final bend he was travelling so well and I was pretty sure he was going to win.

“Physically he has improved since last year. The trainer and all his staff put everything together and brought the horse here for a brilliant result which makes it really special. I came from no background in racing and now I have 30 Group 1 winners as an owner-breeder. It means a lot. I will bring the trophy back to [the] hotel and sleep with it tonight.”

Third in this race behind Mott's Elite Power (Curlin) and Asmussen's Gunite (Gun Runner) last year, Remake turned the tables on the Americans with the win. Last year, Remake shipped to Dubai for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen after the Dirt Sprint and finished fifth before returning to Japan for a listed stakes win and a second in the G3 Procyon S. He closed out the year with a G3 Korea Sprint score in Seoul and a runner-up finish in Japan's JBC Sprint. The Dirt Sprint was his first start since Nov. 3.

Pedigree Notes

A member of his sire's first crop, Remake is currently the sole black-type winner for Arrow Stud's Lani. The young stallion was bred in the U.S., won his biggest career race in Dubai, and stands in Japan. Although also trained in Japan, he did ship back to his native country to finish third in the 2016 GI Belmont S. after winning the G2 UAE Derby. King Kamehameha (Jpn), Japan's champion 3-year-old two decades ago, has 44 stakes winners, including Remake, out of his daughters. He hails from the Kingmambo branch of the Mr. Prospector line.

North Hills Co. Limited bred not only Remake, but also Lani and Lani's dam. The operation picked up Sariel, Remake's dam, for ¥21,000,000 at the 2007 Japan Racing Horse Association Select Sale. Her granddam is a half-sister to both the wonderful 1997 English Broodmare of the Year Slightly Dangerous (Roberto), whose four group winners included champions Commander In Chief (GB) (Dancing Brave) and Warning (GB) (Known Fact), and to group winner I Will Follow (Herbager {Fr}), dam of champion and excellent sire Rainbow Quest (Blushing Groom {Fr}).

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
SPORTS BOULEVARD RIYADH DIRT SPRINT-G3, $1,500,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-24, NH/SH3yo/up, 1200m, 1:10.42, ft.
1–REMAKE (JPN), 126, h, 5, by Lani
1st Dam: Sariel (Jpn) (GSP-Jpn, $888,410), by King Kamehameha (Jpn)
2nd Dam: Shinko Nobby, by Nashwan
3rd Dam: Christabelle, by Northern Dancer
O-Koji Maeda; B-North Hills Co Ltd; T-Koichi Shintani; J-Yuga Kawada; $900,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Jpn & Kor, 16-8-3-2, $2,978,544. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Skelly, 126, g, 5, Practical Joke–Adande, by Bwana Charlie. ($250,000 Ylg '20 FTKSEP; $350,000 RNA 2yo '21 FTFMAR). O-Red Lane Thoroughbreds LLC; B-H Allen Poindexter (KY); T-Steve Asmussen; J-Ricardo Santana Jr; $300,000.
3–Bold Journey, 126, h, 5, Hard Spun–Polly Freeze, by Super Saver. ($75,000 RNA Ylg '20 KEESEP; $80,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR). O-Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable & Gary Barber; B-Fred W Hertrich III & John D Fielding (NY); T-Bill Mott; J-Joel Rosario; $150,000.
Margins: 1HF, 1HF, 1.
Also Ran: Jasper Krone, Cairama, Keiai Dorie (Jpn), Power of Beauty (Ire), Sunset Flash (Ire), Rebellious Stage, Tuz, Alfaisaleyah (GB). Click for the JCSA chart (R5).

 

 

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Noble Roger Rolls Home For Red-Hot Palace Malice In Shinzan Kinen

Having been announced as one of the newest members of the stallion roster at Darley Japan, Palace Malice remained in a rich vein of form with his young progeny, as US-bred Noble Roger was given a perfect steer by Yuga Kawada to take out Monday's G3 Shinzan Kinen at Kyoto. It was the sire's second pattern winner in the last month, adding to the success of the American-conceived, but Japanese-foaled Jantar Mantar (Jpn) in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity.

Looking to build on a smart debut victory going a mile at Tokyo Nov. 12, the $70,000 OBS April juvenile settled back in the field as they went a good gallop on the pointy end. Slipped a bit of rein on the turn, Noble Roger crept into contention while securing a clear, albeit deep, run around the turn and had every conceivable chance five wide into the lane. Popped the question by Kawada in the straight, Noble Roger responded in kind, outfinishing favored Ecoro Bloom (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) to score comfortably. Water Licht (Jpn) (Drefong) was up for third at cricket-score odds.

“It was quite difficult at times, but I think it was a race that showed his high level of ability,” Kawada told Netkeiba. “I was able to find a spot in the middle of the pack and built the race from there. Everyone has been using the inside [of the track] since opening day, so I deliberately chose the outside here. I am glad this horse has become a stakes winner.”

The 14-year-old Palace Malice, winner of the GI Belmont S. over a mile and four furlongs and the GI Metropolitan H. going eight furlongs, is now the sire of 12 black-type winners, six at the graded/group level.

Everett Dobson's Candy Meadows purchased Noble Roger's dam for $180,000 as a foal at the 2014 Keeneland November Sale and raced her to a pair of victories and three placings in black-type company. Noble Ready is a full-sister to Grade II winner Zindaya, the dam of the outstanding multiple graded stakes-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), Godolphin's 3-year-old filly Regal Gallery (Ire) (Frankel {GB})–a 450,000gns TATOCT yearling–and a 2-year-old sister to Carl Spackler that made the same amount from A.C. Elliott, agent, at Tattersalls last October. Noble Ready is a half-sister to Western Aristocrat (Mr. Greeley), who won the 2011 GI Jamaica H. in New York for Jeremy Noseda and is now a leading sire in India.

Noble Ready is the dam the 2-year-old colt Sock It to Me (Violence), a $50,000 purchase at last year's Keeneland September Sale, and was sold to Saudi Arabian interests for $25,000 in foal to Mystic Guide at last year's Keeneland November Sale.

 

 

 

Monday, Kyoto, Japan
NIKKAN SPORTS SHO SHINZAN KINEN-G3, ¥78,230,000, Kyoto, 1-8, 3yo, 1600mT, 1:34.50, gd/fm.
1–NOBLE ROGER, 126, c, 3, by Palace Malice
1st Dam: Noble Ready (MSP), by More Than Ready
2nd Dam: Aristocratic Lady, by Kris S.
3rd Dam: American Dynasty, by Quiet American
1ST STAKES WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. ($70,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). O-Normandy Thoroughbred Racing; B-Candy Meadows LLC (KY); T-Tatsuya Yoshioka; J-Yuga Kawada; ¥41,651,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, ¥48,851,000. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Ecoro Bloom (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Daiwa Major (Jpn)–Sugar Shock, by Candy Ride (Arg). (¥84,000,000 Ylg '22 JRHAJUL). O-Masatoshi Haramura; B-Northern Farm; T-Yukihiro Kato; J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥16,186,000.
3–Water Licht (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Drefong–Water Peony (Jpn), by Victoire Pisa (Jpn). O-Masato Yamaoka; B-Fushikida Farm; T-Hiroshi Kawachi; J-Hideaki Miyuki; ¥10,093,000.
Margins: 1.1/4, HD, HF. Odds: 3.90, 1.80, 206.60.
Click for the JRA chart.

 

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Ushba Tesoro Plays Role of ‘Fire’ Extinguisher in Tokyo Daishoten

Friday's G1 Tokyo Daishoten marked a first and much-anticipated battle between reigning G1 Dubai World Cup hero Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) and the upstart 3-year-old Mick Fire (Jpn) (Sinister Minister), perfect in his seven starts and winner of the unofficial Japan Dirt Triple Crown this past season. The showdown never really materialized, however, as the latter never reached contention after playing up in the stalls, and the odds-on Ushba Tesoro ran down his commonly owner front-runner Wilson Tesoro (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) to successfully defend his title in the 2000-metre contest. Dura Erede (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), who won the G1 Hopeful S. on the turf 12 months ago, but has thrived on the dirt this term, stayed on well for third after chasing the pace.

As it was on World Cup night, Ushba Tesoro was not particularly quickly away and therefore settled last but one into the first corner, as Wilson Tesoro, who flashed home to finish second behind Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid) and ahead of Dura Erede in the Dec. 8 G1 Champions Cup (1800m), galloped them along at a decent tempo over the notoriously deep surface at Oi. Racing three wide as Mick Fire provided some crucial cover down the back straight, Ushba Tesoro was pulled out and around his younger rival at the 600 metres, with Wilson Tesoro and Dura Erede a good eight to 10 lengths ahead. Steered out widest leaving the 400-metre peg behind, Ushba Tesoro leveled out and grabbed Wilson Tesoro in the dying strides, covering those final 600 metres in a race-fastest :37 flat. Mick Fire could produce no rally and beat just one home.

Given a lengthy spell to recover from his World Cup success, Ushba Tesoro was an easy winner of the Listed Nippon TV Hai at Funabashi Sept. 27 as a single prep for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. He put in a long, sustained rally over the Santa Anita mile and a quarter Nov. 4, but had too much to do and finished a creditable fifth to White Abarrio (Race Day) and compatriot Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits).

“He's a very tough horse, so I was hoping he could run well,” winning jockey Yuga Kawada told Netkeiba. “The horse will remain active next year, so we appreciate the support as he goes to challenge the world again.”

Trainer Noboru Takagi indicated that the early-season goals could include the G1 Saudi Cup in February in addition to a defence of his title at Meydan the following month.

Of the eighth-placed Mick Fire, trainer Kazuo Watanabe told Netkeiba: “The start for him was a pity. Even if he finished second or third and lost, I wanted to see him run his race. There is room for growth and we will be starting from scratch again.”

 

Ushba Tesoro | Horsephotos/Tomoya Moriuchi

 

Pedigree Notes:

Ushba Tesoro's second dam Sixieme Sens was ridden by Freddy Head to victory in the 1995 Listed Prix Bagatelle for trainer David Smaga and Mme Marc de Chambure and went on to continue her career in the US under the tutelage of the late Bobby Frankel for whom she won the GIII Athenia S. in New York and the GII Dahlia H. in 1996 and the GII San Gorgonio H. the following season. Dr Masatake Iida purchased Sixieme Sens for $750,000 when offered in foal to Gone West at the 1997 Keeneland November Sale and exported her to Japan. Her second foal for Iida's Chiyoda Farm Shizunai became the stakes-winning Bold Brian (Jpn) (Brian's Time), while Millefeui Attach, a three-time winner of better than $466,000, was Sixieme Sens's eighth produce and one of her nine winners from 12 to the races.

Ushba Tesoro races for the Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings Co., which has also campaigned the likes of US-bred Japanese listed winner Aurora Tesoro (Malibu Moon) and the multiple stakes winner and Group 1-placed Rieno Tesoro (Speightstown) to name but a few. Ushba Tesoro cost the operation ¥25 million ($219,250) as a foal when consigned by Chiyoda Farm to the 2017 JRHA Select Sales. The operation purchased the dam of Wilson Tesoro for $225,000 at the 2015 Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale and sent her to Equinox's sire Kitasan Black (Jpn) in 2018 after winning a pair of minor races in Japan.

Millefeui Attach is also the dam of a 2-year-old colt by Asia Express (Henny Hughes) and a yearling filly from the first crop of 2019 G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen hero Mr Melody (Scat Daddy). The mare foaled a filly by Group 1-winning turf sprinter Matera Sky (Speightstown) this past Apr. 29 and was reunited with Orfevre this year.

Friday, Oi, Japan
TOKYO DAISHOTEN-G1, ¥170,000,000, Oi, 12-29, 3yo/up, 2000m, 2:07.30, std.
1–USHBA TESORO (JPN), 126, h, 6, Orfevre (Jpn)
      1st Dam: Millefeui Attach (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn)
      2nd Dam: Sixieme Sens, by Septieme Ciel
      3rd Dam: Samalex (GB), by Ela-Mana-Mou (Ire)
(¥25,000,000 Wlg '17 JRHAJUL). O-Kenji Ryotokuji Holdings;
B-Chiyoda Farm (Jpn); T-Noboru Takagi; J-Yuga Kawada;
¥100,000,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-UAE, 32-11-1-5,
$10,427,845. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-
style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click
for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Wilson Tesoro (Jpn), 126, c, 4, Kitasan Black (Jpn)–Chesutoke
Rose, by Uncle Mo. O-Kenji Ryotokuji Holdings; B-Ryoken
Farm (Jpn); T-Hitoshi Kotegawa; J-Yusuke Hara; ¥35,000,000.
3–Dura Erede (Jpn), 123, c, 3, Duramente (Jpn)–Marchesa (Jpn),
by Orfevre (Jpn) (¥100,000,000 Ylg '21 JRHAJUL). O-Three H
Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Manabu Ikezoe; J-Bauyrzhan
Murzabayev; ¥20,000,000.
Margins: HF, NK, 3/4. Odds: 0.70, 13.20, 10.90.
Also Ran: Notturno (Jpn), King's Sword (Jpn), Gloria Mundi (Jpn), Tenkaharu (Jpn), Mick Fire (Jpn), Mangan (Jpn).
Click for the goracing.jp chart.

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