Team Stellenbosch and Sakae Kunieda ready for the G1 Japanese Oaks
Thursday, 16 May, 2024 20:06
Stellenbosch (Photo: Takao Sonoda)
On May 15th, G1 Oka Sho winner Stellenbosch completed her final workout on the woodchip course at Miho Training Center, showcasing her vibrant form as she prepares to become the 18th filly to win the filly's Classic double. Renowned trainer Sakae Kunieda, who has trained two Triple Tiara-winning fillies, Apapane in 2010 and Almond Eye in 2018, holds high hopes for this promising filly. Kunieda aims for Stellenbosch to follow in the footsteps of these illustrious predecessors and claim the title of Oaks Queen.
Stellenbosch's final preparation was a testament to Kunieda's expertise. The session, although it was nothing extraordinary, was finely tuned to bring out the best in the filly. She appeared on the Miho woodchip track with the first lot of the morning, trailing behind two other horses in a three-horse drill. While maintaining a steady rhythm, Kunieda, noticing a slower pace, issued instructions via radio to increase the intensity, ensuring the workout was sufficiently challenging.
In the turn for home, Stellenbosch moved smoothly inside, and as they straightened for the finish, she accelerated powerfully, matching strides with Tempest and finishing half a length ahead of Winter Daphne. Her split times of 83.6 seconds for 6F, with final fractions of 35.6 and 11.4 seconds, clearly showed an uptick in pace midway through the workout. Kunieda expressed satisfaction, stating, "She finished strongly, and we had a solid workout last week as well. She's ready."
The next challenge is the 2400 meters of the Tokyo turf. Kunieda is confident about her suitability for the distance, noting, "She settled well today and is an easy horse to ride, so I think she'll handle it without issue." Stellenbosch's key strength lies in her composure and unflappability. Since her debut, she has been touted as an Oaks prospect, and now her moment has arrived.
The "filly specialist" stable, Kunieda has produced champions like Apapane and Almond Eye. When compared to these champions, Kunieda says, "She has come along just as smoothly as they did up to this point. Future performances will tell, but right now, she's on par with them." With only two losses, each with understandable reasons, Kunieda believes in her exceptional ability and is eager to meet expectations. As she follows the path of her illustrious predecessors, Stellenbosch is poised to embark on her quest for the Triple Crown.
Stellenbosch's final preparation was a testament to Kunieda's expertise. The session, although it was nothing extraordinary, was finely tuned to bring out the best in the filly. She appeared on the Miho woodchip track with the first lot of the morning, trailing behind two other horses in a three-horse drill. While maintaining a steady rhythm, Kunieda, noticing a slower pace, issued instructions via radio to increase the intensity, ensuring the workout was sufficiently challenging.
In the turn for home, Stellenbosch moved smoothly inside, and as they straightened for the finish, she accelerated powerfully, matching strides with Tempest and finishing half a length ahead of Winter Daphne. Her split times of 83.6 seconds for 6F, with final fractions of 35.6 and 11.4 seconds, clearly showed an uptick in pace midway through the workout. Kunieda expressed satisfaction, stating, "She finished strongly, and we had a solid workout last week as well. She's ready."
The next challenge is the 2400 meters of the Tokyo turf. Kunieda is confident about her suitability for the distance, noting, "She settled well today and is an easy horse to ride, so I think she'll handle it without issue." Stellenbosch's key strength lies in her composure and unflappability. Since her debut, she has been touted as an Oaks prospect, and now her moment has arrived.
The "filly specialist" stable, Kunieda has produced champions like Apapane and Almond Eye. When compared to these champions, Kunieda says, "She has come along just as smoothly as they did up to this point. Future performances will tell, but right now, she's on par with them." With only two losses, each with understandable reasons, Kunieda believes in her exceptional ability and is eager to meet expectations. As she follows the path of her illustrious predecessors, Stellenbosch is poised to embark on her quest for the Triple Crown.
Article Creds:Daily Sports