Predictions of challenging weather conditions and the first overseas contender in six years have set the scene for an intriguing 54th running of the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) at Chukyo Racecourse on Sunday (24 March).
Memories of last year’s sloppy track, the ensuing huge upset, and this year’s forecast for rain or snow from Saturday, have clouded predictions for the 2024 Takamatsunomiya Kinen winning ticket. First place carries a prize of 170 million yen (approx. HK$8.84 million).
The likelihood of less-than-ideal conditions has reinforced support for last year’s runner-up Namura Clair to prevail Sunday amid a field of 18 runners that also features Hong Kong’s Victor The Winner, the first raider from abroad to take on the race in six years.
The expected heavy going, coupled with the rather ragged condition of the turf at meet end, add to the usual unknowns.
Toshin Macau, on a two-race winning streak at the G3 level, is also considered a strong candidate, but his 15th place in last year’s Takamatsunomiya Kinen has raised doubts as to how the track condition may affect him.
Japan-based horses were given their final workouts Wednesday (20 March) at the training centres of Ritto and Miho and grabbing the biggest headlines in Japan’s sports newspapers the following morning were Mama Cocha, Lugal, Win Marvel and So Dazzling.
Lugal, a four-year-old colt who has been highly consistent, is taking on his first top-level competition. Versatile to both the left and right and over any going, the Ritto-based colt is racing for the first time since his win of the G3 Silk Road Stakes (1200m) at the end of January.
Mama Cocha, who claimed the G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) in October, wrapped up the year with a fifth in the G2 Hanshin Cup (1400m). She has yet to race this year, but looked fit and on her toes working up the Ritto course under an assistant Wednesday.
Win Marvel was a bit more of a surprise. Tenth here last year and sixth in the Sprinters Stakes, the five-year-old chestnut looked powerful moving easily over the Miho flat course. Also on a two-race streak, Win Marvel laid claim to the G2 Hanshin Cup at year end, then returned to capture the G3 Hankyu Hai (1400m) at the end of February. Both races were over 1400 metres, but he has performed well over 1200 metres and is proven at Chukyo.
So Dazzling, a four-year-old filly taking on her first 1200-meter sprint, worked under regular rider Yutaka Take, who was key in encouraging her trainer to give her a chance in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen after she won the G3 Kyoto Himba Stakes (1400m) in mid-February. Though it’ll be her first time at Chukyo, So Dazzling has done well at lefthanded Tokyo.
Those looking for longer odds may try a wager on the up-and-coming Big Caesar, a four-year-old colt also proven at Chukyo and primed with a Grade 3 second on slightly heavy going over the Nakayama 1200m. Even longer odds are sure to be found on Lotus Land, a seven-year-old mare who’s not flashy but a consistent runner known to fill out a trifecta when the going gets tough.
