By Heather Anderson
The G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) will be held at Nakayama over 2000 metres on Sunday, and this year's edition features Group 1 winner Regaleira (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}), a winner of the Hopeful S. versus the colts over this course and distance in December.
The filly, who bears the Sunday Racing colours and will tote four pounds less than her male rivals, leaves from stall 10 under Hiroshi Kitamura. A winner against newcomers at Hakodate last July, she lost her perfect record when third in the Listed Ivy S. when attempting to closing into slow early fractions. However, she was much farther back and rallied into a fast pace for her Hopeful win, defeating several of these including the blue-blooded Group 3 winner and €2.1-million Arqana August sale-topper Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) in second and subsequent listed winner Sunrise Zipangu (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in third.
Trainer Tetsuya Kimura said, “She's come along as expected, without any problems. She's better in her left foreleg now. Once again, she has a new challenge ahead of her here.”
Shin Emperor, a full-brother to G1 Prix de l'Arc de Tromphe winner Sottsass (Fr), ran second after a stalking trip in his 3-year-old bow, the G2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho Deep Impact Kinen to Cosmo Kuranda (Jpn) (Al Ain {Jpn}) with Sirius Colt (Jpn) (Makfi {GB}) third at the beginning of March. Ryusei Sakai has been booked to ride and the duo will leave from stall 14.
Trainer Yoshito Yahagi said, “He's worked well, with a final furlong time of around 12 seconds. I hope he can run to the level expected of him.”
The other Group 1 winner in the field is Japanese Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Jantar Mantar (Jpn) (Palace Malice), winner of the Asahi Hai Futurity S. ahead of Ecoro Walz (Jpn) (Black Tide {Jpn}). Also successful in the G2 Daily Hai Nisai S., the colt is a poster child for his recently relocated sire. He was second to the undefeated two-for-two Justin Milano (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the Feb. 11 G3 Kyodo News Hai.
Trainer Tomokazu Takano said, “He's cantered on the uphill training track and seems easier to ride now. He's developing more as well. I believe in him, and the ability he has, so I want him to show his best in this next race.”
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