By Alan Carasso
A slashing second to the outstanding commonly owned champion Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in 2021 and a fraction unlucky when a close fifth last November, Sunday Racing's Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) will try to make the most of his third attempt at Sunday's G1 Mile Championship, back at Kyoto after being contested for two years at Hanshin due to construction at Kyoto.
Winner of the age-restricted G1 NHK Mile Cup in 2021 and third in that year's G1 Yasuda Kinen, the son of 2016 G1 Preis der Diana heroine Serienholde (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) filled the same spot behind Sunday Racing's Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) this past June after winning the G2 Yomiuri Milers Cup in 1:31.50 over this course and distance in April. He has just one start since, a cracking third–with some trouble–to the once-beaten Elton Barows (Jpn) (Deep Brillante {Jpn}) and Songline in the G2 Mainichi Okan at Tokyo Oct. 8, which should have him cherry ripe for this test.
“He couldn't get a clear run in the Mainichi Okan final stage, which was unfortunate. As a step race, however, it wasn't a bad race,” said assistant trainer Shun Nabata. “This year, the race is back at Kyoto and one of the crucial points in the race will be the downhill slope turning out of the backstretch. He'll need to have cover there, and I think that will work in his favor.”
Damian Lane produced Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) down the wide outside to win last year's renewal–while Schnell Meister was locked away inside until it was too late–and it will be up to Yuga Kawada to craft a winning trip in defence of his title. Fourth in last year's Yasuda Kinen, the G1 Racing runner defeated Danon the Kid (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}) by 1 3/4 lengths in this event 12 months ago and finished fifth in the G1 Dubai Turf on seasonal debut Mar. 25. He was a head better than Schnell Meister and 1 1/4 lengths in back of Songline in this year's Yasuda Kinen when last seen.
“This year he is coming off a spell, but he'll go to the gate in good shape even when compared to last year,” said trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida. “He's able to access his power and he's not one to have difficulties returning after time off. It will be his first time at Kyoto, with it ups and downs, and it's his first time over a downhill slope. I hope to handle the course well.”
The visiting Joao Moreira guided the filly Namur (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) to a 1 1/4-length victory over Red Mon Reve (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) and So Valiant (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the G2 Fuji S. going Tokyo's left-handed mile Oct. 21, but deserts that one in favor of the rail-drawn Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) this weekend. Fourth and not beaten far in last year's Mile Championship and third in the Yomiuri Milers Cup, he most recently atoned for a Yasuda Kinen ninth in taking the Sept. 10 G3 Keisei Hai Autumn H. with top weight of 59kg on his back.
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