Bellagio Opera Aiming To Do Voters Proud In Takarazuka Kinen

[Wandering Eyes]

Sunday's G1 Takarazuka Kinen is one of two races run annually in Japan whose lineup is determined by the racing public. The $5-million GI Breeders' Cup Turf qualifier was moved a couple of weeks earlier on the calendar to avoid the very hot weather of the Japanese summer, and a field of 17 have stood their ground.

Leading the way by votes is Bellagio Opera, the two-time winner of the G1 Osaka Hai, who finished third in last year's edition. The 5-year-old entire blitzed the 2025 2000-metre Osaka Hai at Hanshin in a new course record of 1:56.20 in April. Trained by Hiroyuki Uemura, he will leave from stall one.

Uemura said, “The horse is now better at finding a good rhythm. Hopefully the ground won't be as bad as it was last year.”

Second choice among the betting public is Suave Richard's Regaleira. Getting a break in the weights and the only filly in the field, she was last seen winning the G1 Arima Kinen over 2500 metres at Nakayama on Dec. 22. Also a winner of the G1 Hopeful Stakes at two, she is stranded all the way out in stall 17.

Said trainer Tetsuya Kimura, “We have had no problems with her, and things have gone smoothly. She has been relaxed the whole time. After a busy year last year, I've wanted just to give her a break. In the meantime, she's filled out more and she looks to be in good shape now.”

A winner of the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) in 2024, Urban Chic (Suave Richard) has attracted the third-most votes. he will be cutting back in trip after a third-place effort in the G3 Nikkei Sho at Nakayama in March. One start earlier, he was sixth behind Regaleira in the Arima Kinen and is booked in gate 13.

Trainer Ryo Takei said, “His work rider has said that the horse's condition is as good as it has been. He's been running with a lot of speed, and he's developing well, as we always thought he would. With his power and endurance, the 2200 metres at Hanshin looks good for him. After his good run in last year's Kikuka Sho, I want him to get another good result here.”

Second to Bellagio Opera in the Osaka Hai, Lord Del Rey (Lord Kanaloa) is aiming for his first Group 1 win. He did hold Shonan La Punta (Kizuna) to second in January's G2 Nikkei Shinshun Hai.

Said assistant trainer Taku Fukunaga, “It was his first run in a Grade 1 last time, and even though he lost, it was a result that showed how he is improving. He returned to the stable on May 13 from a break at Champion Hills Farm, and everything's gone smoothly so far as we get him ready for this next race.”

Second to Bellagio Opera in the 2024 Osaka Hai, Rousham Park finished with distinction when second in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar in November. He could only manage seventh in the wake of Regaleira's Arima Kinen victory in December, and went one better at Randwick behind Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Hiroyasu Tanaka, the trainer of the Sunday Racing runner, said, “His condition was not so good last time in Australia, but he seems better now. His control is good, and he's taking the bit when it matters. His energy level seems better too.”

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