Autumn Flavour To Tenno Sho, As Liberty Island Makes Her Return

Japanese horses returning from overseas exploits and melding back into the local population with more Pattern race glory is not a rarity, and 2023 Japanese Triple Tiara heroine Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) aims to do just that in the 2000-metre G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) at Tokyo on Sunday.

A winner of the 2022 G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies in addition to her Classic heroics (Oka Sho, Yushun Himba and Shuka Sho) last term, the bay found only superstar Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) too good in the G1 Japan Cup last November. Only seen once in 2024, the now 4-year-old filly was third to Rebel's Romance (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic. Set to be ridden by Yuga Kawada, the Sunday Racing runner leaves from post 12.

“Traveling abroad has definitely had an effect on her mentally,” said Kawada. “The experience of flying in an airplane and of racing in unfamiliar surroundings, has made her much stronger. This will be her first race since March and she did have some trouble with her legs earlier. So, after being allowed to slowly recover, she was also allowed to slowly come back up to her best. I watched her workout this week and was told she was far more relaxed. She gets work every day and this week's fast work showed her improvement. I'll head to the gate with no worries.”

One of the filly's biggest hurdles is the quality of her rivals, and she faces not one, but two G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winners with Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) (2022) and Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}) (2023). Last year's G1 Arima Kinen winner, Do Deuce also traveled to Dubai, winding up fifth in the G1 Dubai Turf to Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}). However, he was in action in June when sixth in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen, behind 2023 G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) winner Sol Oriens (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in second, one better than G1 Osaka Hai scorer Bellagio Opera (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}). Legendary reinsman Yutaka Take will be aboard, and if the duo find themselves in the winner's circle, Take will have piloted a record-equaling seventh Tenno Sho (Autumn) winner.

Trainer Yasuo Tomomichi said, “His preparation has gone well since his return to the training center. On Oct. 17, he worked over the woodchip course in a group of three. As always, his footwork was fabulous. His body has also gotten bigger. He can do well over 2400 and 2500 meters, but I think the Tokyo 2000 meters is his best trip.”

Although he is only third favourite in the antepost betting, Lebensstil (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) is poised to cause a stir in his first Japanese Group 1. The Carrot Farm runner never tried his hands in the Classics, but two of his three 4-year-old starts have resulted in victories–the G3 Epsom Cup at Tokyo in June, and the G2 Sankei Sho All Comers Stakes at Nakayama over 2200 metres on Sept. 22, defeating the dual Classic-placed Stella Veloce (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}) in the latter. Paired with Christophe Lemaire, the duo are booked in stall 14 in the 15-horse field.

Trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka said, “I have the impression that the horse has matured mentally. Physically, he is slowly getting stronger. This morning [Oct. 23], his time did get a little fast, but not enough to spell overwork. He had a good air about him and I think he's at the level of fitness for him to be able to respond as he needs to. It'll be his first time over the course but I don't think that will be a problem.”