Southern Speed Has a Classic Hopeful in Japan

Mark Smith - Monday March 4

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.

Advertisement

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.

Cosmo Kuranda (image Shi)

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.

Advertisment
More Reading...
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
Tarzino Stayer Wins G3 Geelong Cup
Trainer Paul Preusker will get another tilt at a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) after Torranzino ran out a strong winner of the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on Thursday.
One to Watch – Mornington
In Cox Plate week it only seems fitting that the 2013 winner Shamus Award would give us a ‘One to Watch’ at Mornington on Thursday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Inglis Digital - Darby Swoop on Amazing Eagle for $310,000
Scott Darby believes today’s Inglis Digital sale-topper Amazing Eagle (Capitalist) can continue along the same successful mould as the likes of former online Darby acquisitions Robusto, Caballus and Imperial Force and progress on to become a future racetrack star.
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
$400,000 Invincible Filly a Grand Investment
A three-quarter sister-in-blood to dual Group I winning mare Charm Stone, stakes-placed I Am Invincible filly Naifah always looked well bought at the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $400,000.
$140,000 NZB Ready to Run Graduate Books Ticket to G1 Victoria Derby
Bred for stamina being by Melbourne Cup winner Shoicking from a daughter of Tavistock, talented Kiwi bred three-year-old Azazel has booked his passage for the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) on Saturday week after a tough victory in the Listed Roderick Insurance Brokers 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) at Geelong on Thursday.
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.