Almond Eye Beaten but Unbowed as a New Star Looms in Japan

Mark Smith - Sunday June 7

For the second year in a row it just was not meant to be for the superstar Almond Eye in the Group 1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) at Tokyo racecourse on Sunday.

After a slow start, the daughter of Lord Kanaloa never really raised the hopes of her legion of supporters at any stage, battling on for second  some two and a half lengths behind last year’s Group 1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) heroine Gran Alegria.

Advertisement

Defending champion Indy Champ clocked in third a half-length behind Almond Eye.

A daughter of the all-conquering Deep Impact, Gran Alegria made her 2020 debut with a second behind Mozu Superflare (USA) in the Group 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen over 1200 metres at Chukyo on March 29.

With a supremely confident Kenichi Ikezoe in the saddle, Gran Alegria came from midfield to be a menacing presence on the turn. With Ikezoe sitting motionless until the 300m, the only doubt was what would run second.

Trained by Kazuo Fujisawa for Sunday Racing, Gran Alegria earns a golden ticket to the Breeders Cup Mile if connections choose to go that way later in the year.

Gran Alegria is the first foal of the top-class Tapit mare Tapitsfly whose seven wins include two at the highest level, the Just A Game Stakes and the First Lady Stakes as well as the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

Gran Alegria’s 3yo full-sister Blutgang won her only start in a newcomers race at Tokyo in June last year and has not been seen out since.

A $1,850,000 Fasig-Tipton purchase by Katsumi Yoshida in 2012, Tapitsfly has not had a foal after Blutgang.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Expensive North Pacific Salutes at Geelong
The highest priced yearling for first season sire North Pacific, promising two year-old filly Angel Ladder opened her account with a tenacious win at Geelong on Friday.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.
Deep Impact's Gran Alegria Bows Out a Winner
Japan has showcased a veritable production line of champion mares around the world in recent years, and another great, Gran Alegria, bowed out of racing with an emotional win in the Group 1 The Mile Championship at Hanshin on Sunday.
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).