By Alan Carasso
Already the winner of the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) going the metric mile and the G1 Yushun Himba over 2400 metres, Shadai Race Horse Co.'s Stars on Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) faces a date with destiny over the Hanshin turf course Sunday as she looks to become the seventh horse to complete the Filly Triple Crown in the G1 Shuka Sho (2000m) at Hanshin Racecourse.
Produced by a daughter of the very classy American champion and six-times Group 1/Grade I winner Stacelita (Fr) (Monsun {Ger})–the dam of 2017 Japanese Oaks heroine Soul Stirring (Jpn) (Frankel {GB})–Stars on Earth was runner-up to Lilac (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the G3 Fairy S. in January and filled the same spot behind Presage Lift (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) in the G3 Queen Cup at Tokyo before just getting the better of Water Navillera (Jpn) (Silver State {Jpn}) in the Oka Sho. She makes her first start since besting Stunning Rose (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) at a juicy 11-2 in the Yushun Himba May 22. The latter has since flattered the Oaks form with a defeat of Sound Vivace (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) in the G3 Shion S. Sept. 10.
“She has filled out a bit and is maturing nicely,” said trainer Mizuki Takayanagi. “Hanshin is a tighter track compared to Tokyo, so I'm hoping she'll get a smooth trip. I will leave that up to the jockey [Christophe Lemaire]. All eyes are on her and I'm feeling the pressure. She is extremely talented and has claimed two Grade 1s. I'm hoping she can land another.”
Namur (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) had Stars on Earth behind in a 1-win class conditions test back in November and won the G2 Tulip Sho Mar. 5 before finishing a disappointing 10th at skinny odds in the Oka Sho. She was an improved third in the Oaks and might find Sunday's trip to her liking.
Sheikh Fahad's Art House (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) looks the up-and-comer in the field. A listed winner over course and distance in April, she was allowed to take her chance in the Oaks at just career start number four and was beaten 6 1/4 lengths into seventh. Given a freshen-up thereafter, the homebred validated 17-10 favoritism in the G2 Rose S. Sept. 18, covering the mile and a quarter in a slick 1:58.50.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
