G1 NHK Mile Cup to feature historic clash
Thursday, 02 May, 2024 00:58
Jantar Mantar (Photo: Oryu)
It is set to be a historic matchup as last year's winner of the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, Jantar Mantar, and the victor of the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, Ascoli Piceno, collide in the G1 NHK Mile Cup. It's the first-ever direct clash between the 2-year-old Champion and the 2-year-old Champion Filly in the battle for the 3-year-old Mile crown.
Ascoli Piceno was the first to declare participation. Since last summer, she has achieved an unbeaten streak, winning the Newcomers, G3 Niigata Nisai Stakes, and Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. Defeating Regaleira, the winner of the G1 Hopeful Stakes, she claimed the title of 2-year-old Champion filly. Following that, she went directly to the G1 Oka Sho. Although narrowly defeated by Stellenbosch, she secured a solid second place, demonstrating her strength once again. Considering her suitability for the distance, she opted for the NHK Mile Cup instead of the G1 Japanese Oaks. With her affinity for this race and being a progeny of Daiwa Major, expectations are high.
On the other hand, Jantar Mantar has had an impressive journey since last autumn, securing debut victories in the Newcomers, G2 Daily Hai Nisai Stakes, and the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, thus claiming the title of 2-year-old Champion. At the beginning of the year, he suffered his first defeat, finishing second in the G3 Kyodo News Hai after being overtaken by Justin Milano. In his recent outing in the G1 Satsuki Sho, he finished third, just 0.1 seconds behind Justin Milano, in a bold frontrunning effort. Despite the defeat, his performance was not to be downgraded as he maintained a strong and assertive position throughout. With each race experience, he has been improving, although some settling issues have emerged, making the distance reduction to a mile a definite advantage.
Ascoli Piceno was the first to declare participation. Since last summer, she has achieved an unbeaten streak, winning the Newcomers, G3 Niigata Nisai Stakes, and Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. Defeating Regaleira, the winner of the G1 Hopeful Stakes, she claimed the title of 2-year-old Champion filly. Following that, she went directly to the G1 Oka Sho. Although narrowly defeated by Stellenbosch, she secured a solid second place, demonstrating her strength once again. Considering her suitability for the distance, she opted for the NHK Mile Cup instead of the G1 Japanese Oaks. With her affinity for this race and being a progeny of Daiwa Major, expectations are high.
On the other hand, Jantar Mantar has had an impressive journey since last autumn, securing debut victories in the Newcomers, G2 Daily Hai Nisai Stakes, and the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, thus claiming the title of 2-year-old Champion. At the beginning of the year, he suffered his first defeat, finishing second in the G3 Kyodo News Hai after being overtaken by Justin Milano. In his recent outing in the G1 Satsuki Sho, he finished third, just 0.1 seconds behind Justin Milano, in a bold frontrunning effort. Despite the defeat, his performance was not to be downgraded as he maintained a strong and assertive position throughout. With each race experience, he has been improving, although some settling issues have emerged, making the distance reduction to a mile a definite advantage.