Best of Japan’s Juvenile Fillies Go Head-To-Head at Hanshin

[Wandering Eyes]

Sunday's G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies brings together a maximum field of 18 over the 1,600-metre trip, with the undefeated pair of Alankar and Margot Love Me featuring among those who will be trying to etch their name alongside the likes of Vodka (2006), Buena Vista (2008) and Liberty Island (2022) on a glittering roll of honour.

Trained by Takashi Saito, Alankar followed her debut victory at Fukushima with another dominant performance to win September's Nojigiku Stakes over this course and distance. The Epiphaneia filly is out of the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) winner Sinhalite (Deep Impact), who also filled the runner-up spot in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas).

“She was a bit of a handful in her debut race, so in the Nojigiku Stakes we had her in a hood behind the gate,” Saito said of Alankar. “She had some problem taking the bit, which made for a somewhat rough race. But her speed was good after things picked up, and she won easily. She went to the farm after that, returned to the training center on Nov. 20, and worked in tandem over the course on Dec. 3 under Yuichi Kitamura. The focus was on the final stage and things went well. Her footwork and breathing were good. There are some concerns with the big field, how well she'll take the bit, the start, and how in tune she'll be with the rider. But she has a lot of talent and I have my hopes up.”

Meanwhile, Margot Love Me will be a first Group 1 runner on the Flat for trainer Shinya Kobayashi. The daughter of Real Steel is also unbeaten in two starts, though the quick turnaround since her most recent success in the Shiragiku Sho at Kyoto in late-November is a concern for her connections.

“Even though she doesn't have a strong constitution and she isn't the best eater, she won both her starts and I think the latter one was her better one,” said Kobayashi. “After work on Dec. 4, there appeared to be no problems and, after checking her over, we decided that afternoon to race her here. Her preparation has come along well and I'm hoping she too can do well if she brings out her strength and her early speed. In the days leading in to the race, if I see anything that worries me, we'll withdraw. But for now everything looks fine.”

Star Anise (Drefong), last seen occupying the runner-up spot in August's G3 Chukyo Nisai Stakes, steps up in trip as one of the most experienced fillies in the field, along with Taisei Vogue (Indy Champ), who brings solid form to the table after finishing second in the G3 Niigata Nisai Stakes and third in the G3 Artemis Stakes on her last two starts.

One place ahead of Taisei Vogue in the Artemis Stakes was Mitsukane Venera (Maurice), who is open to more improvement on just her third career outing, while Arbanne is most definitely a filly who has progressed with her racing. Runner-up on her debut at this venue, the daughter of Admire Mars has won both of her subsequent starts, including the Saffron Sho at Nakayama last time.

“After winning the Saffron Sho and returning to the training centre after a bit of time off, we gave her the usual work,” assistant trainer Toshihiko Hokari said of Arbanne. “We were concerned that her pulse wasn't fast enough and so we put the jockey [Ryusei Sakai] up on Dec. 4 and he gave her a good ride. She was well in hand and her movement was good. There is some strong competition in this race, but I think she can hold her own in an all-filly line-up. From her debut, the riders have done a good job of getting the best out of her in a race's final stage. I'm looking forward to seeing how well she can do.”

Other notable runners include His Masterpiece (Screen Hero), a dual winner over this distance at Tokyo, and the battle-hardened Shonan Charis (Real Steel), who stepped up again on her fifth start when finishing second in last month's G3 Fantasy Stakes at Kyoto. Stunning Lady (Benbatl), on the other hand, has raced just once, when winning in good style at Tokyo, while Sweet Happiness (Real Impact) is similarly promising going into this third start. She fared best of the rest behind Margot Love Me in the Shiragiku Sho last time.

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