A new hero emerges. Croix du Nord, the overwhelming favourite at 1.8-1 odds, powered home from a prominent position to claim a decisive victory in the G1 Hopeful Stakes, maintaining his undefeated record through three starts and securing his first G1 title. For jockey Yuichi Kitamura, it marked his first G1 triumph in four years since the 2020 Arima Kinen with Chrono Genesis. Following the same route as the Triple Crown winner Contrail. Newcomers to Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes to G1 glory, Croix du Nord has firmly positioned himself as a leading contender for next spring's Classics. Giovanni, the 6th favourite, finished second, with 17th favourite Faust Rasen taking third.

Tears overflowed as Kitamura struggled to contain his emotions. Speaking through choked words during the hero interview, he said, "Truly... so many people have supported me. I'm so glad to win another G1. I want to take this moment to express my gratitude." It had been four long years since Kitamura last experienced the radiant sights of the grandstand as a G1 winner. Overwhelmed by the fans' cheers, he could not hold back his tears.

Despite the immense pressure of being the heavy favourite, Kitamura delivered a composed and tactical ride. Breaking well from barrier number 6, the jockey deliberately positioned the colt just outside the leaders. "He's not the type of horse that can wait on the inside and burst through with a turn of foot. I wanted to ensure he was in a spot where he could move freely," Kitamura later explained.

The backstretch saw a flurry of moves from outside runners, making for a fiercely contested race, but Kitamura stayed composed. "I trusted the horse completely," he reiterated post-race. As they turned into the straight, Kitamura's confidence grew. "I was certain we could catch the two in front, and I knew those behind couldn't catch us." Four well-timed strikes of the whip in his right hand sealed the victory.

Kitamura's journey to this moment was anything but easy. In May 2021, shortly after winning the Arima Kinen aboard Chrono Genesis, he suffered a serious fall that left him with eight fractured vertebrae, forcing an extended recovery. After enduring gruelling rehabilitation, he returned to the saddle in June 2022. It took time to regain momentum, but Kitamura announced his full comeback with a graded stakes win in March's Falcon Stakes aboard Danon McKinley. Today's G1 title is the crowning achievement of his return.

Trainer Takashi Saito praised Kitamura's ride, saying, "He executed everything perfectly, trusting in the horse's ability." Croix du Nord's standout trait is his exceptional cardiovascular capacity. "We'll focus on refining that while allowing him to grow further," Saito added, outlining plans for a spell to recharge before targeting the spring Classics. "Winning on the same course as the Satsuki Sho gives us confidence," he said, expressing pride in the emphatic victory.

For the team behind former champion Chrono Genesis, this victory carries profound significance. Saito reflected, "When I thought about having him ride until her retirement, that terrible injury happened. To see him win another G1 now makes me incredibly happy. If we can achieve together what we couldn't back then, it would be amazing." The second chapter of their journey has just begun, and the clock that once stood still is now ticking forward again.