Analysis of the G1 Japanese Oaks trials
Wednesday, 15 May, 2024 23:30
As we look towards the G1 Japanese Oaks, we run you through the candidates that have emerged from the trial races.
Admire Belle was victorious in the G2 Flora Stakes. While the competition may have been less formidable, her performance was impressive as she came from mid-pack to win in a tightly contested race, clocking 59.7 seconds for the first 5 furlongs and 59.3 seconds for the latter half. Focused primarily on races at Tokyo's 2000-metre turf, she bypassed the G1 Oka Sho to aim directly for the G1 Japanese Oaks. Her racecraft suggests she can handle the 2400-metre distance well, and her well-paced schedule is promising.
From the Listed Sweet Pea Stakes, Koganeno Sora joins the fray. Historically, only Kawakami Princess in 2006 has won the Japanese Oaks after taking the Sweet Pea Stakes, making it a challenging route. However, in the past decade, horses with at least three wins leading up to the Oaks have consistently finished in the top two, a positive sign for both Stellenbosch and Koganeno Sora this year. Known for her stamina, typical of Gold Ship progeny, Koganeno Sora displayed a remarkable turn of foot in the Sweet Pea Stakes, clocking the fastest final 3 furlongs in 34.1 seconds, the quickest in the race's history. Her current rapid development cannot be underestimated.
Tagano Elpida, who won the Listed Wasurenagusa Sho, has a strong connection to the Japanese Oaks, with five past winners emerging from this trial race. With a solid third-place finish in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, Tagano Elpida's victory was expected. She led early and secured the win comfortably, with a winning time 1.2 seconds faster than Loves Only You, who also won the Japanese Oaks after taking the Wasurenagusa Sho in 2019. Given her earlier status as the favourite in the G2 Tulip Sho, she remains a contender not to be overlooked.
Admire Belle was victorious in the G2 Flora Stakes. While the competition may have been less formidable, her performance was impressive as she came from mid-pack to win in a tightly contested race, clocking 59.7 seconds for the first 5 furlongs and 59.3 seconds for the latter half. Focused primarily on races at Tokyo's 2000-metre turf, she bypassed the G1 Oka Sho to aim directly for the G1 Japanese Oaks. Her racecraft suggests she can handle the 2400-metre distance well, and her well-paced schedule is promising.
From the Listed Sweet Pea Stakes, Koganeno Sora joins the fray. Historically, only Kawakami Princess in 2006 has won the Japanese Oaks after taking the Sweet Pea Stakes, making it a challenging route. However, in the past decade, horses with at least three wins leading up to the Oaks have consistently finished in the top two, a positive sign for both Stellenbosch and Koganeno Sora this year. Known for her stamina, typical of Gold Ship progeny, Koganeno Sora displayed a remarkable turn of foot in the Sweet Pea Stakes, clocking the fastest final 3 furlongs in 34.1 seconds, the quickest in the race's history. Her current rapid development cannot be underestimated.
Tagano Elpida, who won the Listed Wasurenagusa Sho, has a strong connection to the Japanese Oaks, with five past winners emerging from this trial race. With a solid third-place finish in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, Tagano Elpida's victory was expected. She led early and secured the win comfortably, with a winning time 1.2 seconds faster than Loves Only You, who also won the Japanese Oaks after taking the Wasurenagusa Sho in 2019. Given her earlier status as the favourite in the G2 Tulip Sho, she remains a contender not to be overlooked.
Article Creds:Daily Sports