‘Gran’ Cruises to Facile G2 Hanshin Cup Score

[Wandering Eyes]

Heavy favourite Gran Alegria made up some late ground to take the G2 Hanshin Cup over 1400 metres in style on Saturday, defeating Fiano Romano by open lengths.

Settling in midpack throughout the early stages, the Northern Farm-bred filly saved every inch of ground until the field straightened for home. Slicing up between horses 200 metres from home, the 4-year-old powered away to win easily by five lengths from Fiano Romano.

A June 2018 debut winner at Tokyo before landing the G3 Saudi Arabia Royal Cup there last October, Gran Alegria ran third in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity S. last December to Admire Mars (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), but made her 3-year-old bow a winning one when taking the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) on Apr. 7. Wheeling back on May 5, she ran third in the G1 NHK Mile Cup to Admire Mars, who would go on to take the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin on Dec. 16.

Pedigree Notes
The Sunday Racing colourbearer is one of 45 Group 1 winners for her late sire, having scooped the aforementioned Oka Sho this spring. Out of GI Just a Game S. and GI First Lady S. heroine Tapitsfly (Tapit), Gran Alegria is a full-sister to the year-younger colt Blutgang (Jpn), who is a winner in one start at two this term. Her extended family includes GI Arlington Million winner Golden Pheasant (Caro {Ire}) and GI Del Mar Invitattional Oaks bridesmaid Malli Star (Baldski).

Saturday, Hanshin, Japan
HANSHIN CUP-G2, ¥129,520,000 (US$1,183,104/£910,000/€1,068,109), Hanshin, 12-21, 3yo/up, 1400mT, 1:19.40, fm.
1–GRAN ALEGRIA (JPN), 119, f, 2, 3, by Deep Impact (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Tapitsfly (MGISW-US, $1,495,503), by Tapit
                2nd Dam: Flying Marlin, by Marlin
                3rd Dam: Morning Dove, by Fortunate Prospect
O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Kazuo Fujisawa;
J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥68,274,000. Lifetime Record:
G1SW-Jpn, 6-4-0-1. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*.
   Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Fiano Romano (Aus), 126, h, 5, Fastnet Rock (Aus)–Heart
Ashley, by Lion Heart. (A$250,000 Ylg ’16 INGAPR). O-Kazumi
Yoshida; B-Kia Ora Stud (NSW); ¥27,364,000.
3–Meisho Shobu (Jpn), 119, f, 3, by Daiwa Major (Jpn)–Meisho
Suzuran (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn). O-Yoshio
Matsumoto; B-Mishima Bokujo (Jpn); ¥17,182,000.
Margins: 5, HD, NO. Odds: 1.10, 5.30, 45.00.
Also Ran: Let’s Go Donki (Jpn), No One (Jpn), Rainbow Flag (Jpn), Shivaji, Smart Odin (Jpn), One After (Jpn), Guanciale (Jpn), Logi Cry (Jpn), Stormy Sea (Jpn), My Style (Jpn), Shuji (Jpn), Shonan Rise (Jpn), Grand Bonheur (Jpn), Iberis (Jpn), Meisho Keimei (Jpn).
Click for the JRA chart and video or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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