G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai

Earning his first group tally earlier this March, 3-year-old Meisho Tabaru (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}) went to the front and never looked back while adding his second career group score in Sunday's G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai (Japanese St. Leger Trial at Chukyo. Striding purposefully to the front soon after the start, the free-wheeling 5-1 chance held a clear advantage down the backstretch and through the far turn. Still in front by open lengths straightening for home, Meisho Tabaru started to feel the effects of his early efforts as June Take...

Pounded down to 10 cents on the dollar, dual Classic hero Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) marked his return to the races with an easy-as-he-pleased victory in the 2200-metre G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai at Chukyo on Sunday. Away in good order, pilot Yuichi Fukunaga eased Contrail back to sit in midfield while well covered up in the early stages. Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) showed the way through a half in :47.40 and a mile in 1:36.30 with positions largely unchanged. Nearing the final bend the heavy favourite had a...