Sunday's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) sets up as a rematch for the top three finishers of the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), with the winner of that first Classic, Dee Majesty (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), looking to become the 24th horse to win two jewels of the country's Triple Crown. Dee Majesty was sent off the eighth choice in the Satsuki Sho, but nonetheless ran out an impressive winner in track-record time. Dee Majesty has now won his last three outings, and has been beaten just once overall, and he pleased trainer Yoshitaka Ninomiya in a gallop at Miho Training Centre May 19. “He looked good, both in his running and the way he changed leads nicely. He's suited to the Tokyo course and the extra distance is welcome, so I'm looking forward to the race,” the conditioner said.
Makahiki (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Satono Diamond (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) both tasted defeat for the first time when second and third, respectively, in the Satsuki Sho. Makahiki, who had won the 2000 metre G2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho Mar. 6, had no excuses in that first Classic, and trainer Yasuo Tomomichi said, “His responses were good in the workout and his breathing was good too. He has a good appetite as well. He always looks good when asked to move out in a race and I think this is his best distance.”
Satono Diamond has gone to post as favourite in all four of his starts and until the Satsuki Sho, had never disappointed. While Satono Diamond appeared to have a smooth race, trainer Yasutoshi Ikee said the strong headwind and his own tactics could have caused his defeat. “He's a big horse, with long legs, so he can't take small steps easily and is less agile,” said Ikee. “More importantly, horses on or near the lead were holding their ground for many of the races that day and so I'd given instructions to stay fore of midfield. Things didn't work out as expected for us.”
A new shooter on the Classic scene who could threaten the favourites is Smart Odin (Jpn) (Danon Chantilly {Jpn}), who has won his last two and wound up for this with a score in the G2 Kyoto Shimbun Hai May 7. Last year's G1 Asahi Hai Futurity winner and champion 2-year-old Leontes (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), a son of G1 Japanese Oaks and GI American Oaks winner Cesario (Jpn) (Special Week {Jpn}), was the victim of a fast pace in the Satsuki Sho and was demoted from fourth to fifth after causing interference in the lane. Another well-bred individual on a recovery mission is Leukerbad (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), a son of American Horse of the Year Azeri (Jade Hunter) who won a 2000 metre Kyoto allowance in January, but has since finished third behind Satono Diamond in the G3 Kisaragi Sho and Smart Odin in the Kyoto Shimbun Hai.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
