Japan
Star Anise Wins Two-Year-Old Filly Champion Title in Race Record Tie
Star Anise wins this year’s Hanshin Juvenile Fillies at Hanshin.
Second favorite Star Anise claimed this year's Hanshin Juvenile Fillies title while matching the race record of 1:32.6 over 1,600 meters. Foaled out of two-time graded winner Epice Arome, the daughter of Drefong was fifth in her debut in June (Kokura, 1,200m) and broke her maiden in July over the same track and distance before finishing second in her previous start, the Chukyo Nisai Stakes (Chukyo, G3, 1,400m) against male opponent in late August. Trainer Tomokazu Takano won his 11th JRA-G1 title following his victory with Jantar Mantar in the Mile Championship last month. Jockey Kohei Matsuyama, who had ridden this filly since her debut, scored his seventh G1 victory after this year's NHK Mile Cup with Panja Tower.
Star Anise broke sharply but was eased back to about eighth between rivals behind a brisk pace. Shifted out to ensure a clear path approaching the third corner, the Drefong filly circled wide into the stretch, immediately picked up speed along the outside route, taking command passing the 200-meter pole, and continued strongly to fend off strong challenges from Garavogue and Taisei Vogue from the inside, stretching beautifully in the last strides for a 1-1/4-length victory.
"I am grateful to the connections for allowing me to have another shot with this strong filly at this big stage after being defeated in our last start, and also to the filly Star Anise herself for putting in such great effort to win this race. Although it was her first time at a mile distance, she gave me the impression that she'd be just fine after her last start over 1,400 meters. She has big jumping stride so that my main concern was the weather but (after the rain yesterday) it held up fine so luck was on our side. We were nearly stuck inside early in the race but, with a big stride like hers, I wanted her path to be clear and chose the outside route which worked out just as I had imagined. She responded beautifully and had enough in the tank to put in another effort in the end. The three-year-old triple crown awaits her with expectations next season. I just hope that she will arrive there safe and sound and it would be great if I can partner her again," commented Kohei Matsuyama.
Garavogue, saved ground, further back than mid-pack, early. Although struggling to escape traffic soon after entering the stretch, the Lord Kanaloa filly turned in the fastest late kick under strong urgings from her rider, as soon as an opening presented itself between horses, to quickly reach contention and, while unable to match the winner in the last strides, managed to out-finish Taisei Vogue by a neck for second.
Taisei Vogue jumped well from an outside draw and advanced steadily along the outside passing the eventual winner 800 meters out and within striking distance into the stretch. With Star Anise on her outside, the two hit the front in the last 200 meters to join Garavogue to rally but the winner had another gear in the last strides while the Indy Champ filly ran gamely to cross the wire a neck behind Garavogue who came up strongly with the fastest finishing speed.
Race favorite Alankar, who had come off two impressive wins by more than three lengths, trailed at the rear of the 18-horse field after a decent break, advanced rapidly to mid-field approaching the third corner but, after turning widest for the stretch run, had much ground to cover and was unable to cause a serious threat to the leaders while improving to fifth at the wire.
Other Horses:
4th: (11) Sweet Happiness—settled around 11th, angled out, launched 2nd fastest late kick
6th: (6) Arbanne—saved ground around 14th, met traffic 200m out, quicken belatedly
7th: (18) Shonan Charis—ran wide around 10th, lacked needed kick
8th: (7) Margot Love Me—sat around 4th, remained in contention until 100m out
9th: (2) Lady Goal—positioned 3rd from rear, showed belated charge
10th: (10) Inubono Utagoe—bumped at break, traveled around 13th, even paced
11th: (14) Stunning Lady—unhurried around 16th, circled wide, passed tired rivals
12th: (3) Mitsukane Venera—ran around 9th, met traffic 300m out, unable to reach contention
13th: (16) Rose Charis—tracked leaders in 3rd, rallied for lead at one point, faded after 200m pole
14th: (12) Maple Happy—hugged rails around 6th, weakened in last 200m
15th: (8) His Masterpiece—rallied to set pace, used up passing 200m pole
16th: (15) Lasting Snow—raced wide around 5th, failed to sustain bid
17th: (13) From Raven—chased leader in 2nd, faded after 300m out
18th: (1) Angelitas—traveled around 14th, dropped back after 3rd corner
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