The talented five-year-old horse King's Palace, who has been on an upward trajectory, showcased his excellent condition on the 3rd ahead of his bid for his first graded stakes victory in the G3 Tanabata Sho. Under jockey Masami Matsuoka, King's Palace displayed impressive agility in a workout at the Miho Training Center woodchip track, easily outpacing his workmate by two lengths. After finishing a close second by a nose in the G3 Niigata Daishoten last time out, the stage seems set for his long-awaited title capture.

The mood is optimistic as King's Palace aims for his first graded stakes victory. In his last outing in the G3 Niigata Daishoten, he fought valiantly to finish a nose behind the winner. During his recent workout, he started by trailing American Runner over six furlongs, gradually closing the gap with ease. He maintained a comfortable stride through the straight, finishing with a time of 85.8 seconds for six furlongs, with a final three furlongs in 38.7 seconds, and the last furlong in 11.5 seconds, leading by two lengths. "It was a good move," said jockey Matsuoka, his expression reflecting the horse's excellent condition.

King's Palace typically does not fully engage in race mode after time at pasture, but this time, he showed promising signs right from his return to training. Initially, his progress was somewhat slow, but after a more intense trackwork last week, he demonstrated clear improvement. "After last week's training, his response improved significantly," Matsuoka noted, satisfied with the horse's condition.

In his 18-race career, King's Palace has finished second nine times. Despite his evident superiority, he has struggled to secure wins, often faltering in the final moments due to a lack of sustained focus. "We've focused on where he uses his concentration, ensuring he can effectively switch between on and off modes," Matsuoka explained. Continuous adjustments in track works have gradually addressed this issue.

Since his first ride on King's Palace, Matsuoka has envisioned him winning graded stakes. The journey has been frustratingly long, but his focus has remained steadfast. "We've considered various aspects, including his mindset, in our approach. That's why I really want him to win," Matsuoka expressed. The hardships have only heightened the expectations, and both the jockey and the stable believe the results of their diligent efforts will come to fruition in this race.