With her short-time licence in Japan coming to a close, Rachel King rode three winners at Nakayama on Sunday but missed out on the big one on Mosheen’s son Danon Ayres Rock in the Group II Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho Deep Impact Kinen (2000m), which fell to a son of another star Australian mare.
The $1million Japanese 2000 Trial for three-year-olds was won in commanding fashion by the Shizuya Kato-trained Cosmo Kuranda (JPN), a son of Leon McDonald’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup heroine Southern Speed (Southern Image).
Ridden by Mirco Demuro Cosmo Kuranda raced on the outside of the leader Sirius Colt, after an indifferent start, before taking control on straightening. Keeping up a strong gallop, the son of Al Ain (JPN) defeated the Siyouni colt Shin Emperor (FR), a brother to the Arc, French Derby, and Prix Ganay winner Sosstass, by one and a quarter lengths with Sirius Colt (Makfi) the same distance back in third.
It was the second win in seven starts for Cosmo Kuranda, who finished second on his seasonal debut over the same track and distance on January 8. He becomes the first stakes-winner for his first-crop sire Al Ain (Deep Impact), who enjoyed his career highlight at Nakayama in the 2017 Japanese 2,000 Guineas.
Cosmo Kuranda is the best of four winners from five to race for Southern Speed, who, beside her Caulfield Cup triumph, won the Group II Makybe Diva Stakes, while she was runner-up in the Australian Cup, CF Orr Stakes and Underwood Stakes.
Southern Speed has an unraced 2-year-old Danon Ballade colt named Cosmo Magallanica and a yearling colt by Big Red Farm’s resident son of Deep Impact.
She was covered by Gold Ship.
