Maurice Off The Mark in Japan

Mark Smith - Saturday July 11

Japan’s Horse Of The Year Maurice is off the mark as sire following the barnstorming victory of the Yoshito Yahagi-trained Kaiser Nova in a 1200 metres Newcomers race at Hakodate on Saturday.

Maurice (Mark Smith)

With just two of the 13 starters behind him when straightening, Ryusei Sakai copped a nine-day suspension when shouldering out of a pocket on the Hiroo Race homebred.

A half-brother to two winners, Kaiser Nova is out of the stakes-winning Special Week mare Stellar Lead.

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Six-time Group 1 winner Maurice (JPN) shuttled to Arrowfield Stud for three seasons.

His first southern hemisphere crop of 83 live foals hit the track in the new season.

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