Typically going into Sunday’s (19 May) G1 Yushun Himba (2400m), the G1 Oka Sho (1600m) winner is the horse to watch heading into the second leg of the Japanese Filly Triple Crown. However, as this year’s Oka Sho winner decided to try for the G1 NHK Mile Cup instead of going into the Yushun Himba, it opens up the race to a number of other exciting options.
The second and third place finishers from the Oka Sho, Shigeru Pink Dia and Chrono Genesis will both enter the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) starting gate on Sunday, as well as champion two-year-old filly Danon Fantasy. The latter could only get up to fourth position in the Oka Sho, but her breeding suggests Sunday’s race-distance should be perfect.
Chrono Genesis should have the staying ability she will need to be a factor in the Yushun Himba this Sunday. Her half-sister Normcore found her way to the winners’ circle in the G1 Victoria Mile just last week which could be a good omen for this talented filly.
Trainer Takashi Saito said, “She’s an honest runner. I think the Tokyo 2400m will suit her. I’m hoping for a smooth run.”
Shigeru Pink Dia comes into the race with great form, never worse than third in any of her starts and at her most recent appearance she finished second in the Oka Sho. However, she is bred to be a miler and has never raced beyond a mile.
Trainer Kunihiko Watanabe is hoping Shigeru Pink Dia will keep calm and concentrate on running in the Japanese Oaks.
Other talented fillies include Schon Glanz who has a French Oaks winning dam in Stacelita and a proven Oaks sire in Deep Impact, so pedigree-wise this is a race she could genuinely shine in despite not having performed at her best of late.
Contra Check is another Deep Impact filly who could be a danger in the race. She has done well over a mile but has truly shined in her two wins over 1800m including her most recent in the G3 Flower Cup in March. While she didn’t run in the Oka Sho last month, 2400m should be right up her alley.
Victoria is the daughter of Shuka Sho (2000m) winner Black Emblem, so running in a fillies classic race is part of her birthright. As one of the few horses in the race to break into the 2000m distance, her win in the G2 Flora Sho (2000m) last month showed her grit and determination. She worked her way up from the back of the pack to win by only a nose, but it was also over the same Tokyo track she will be running on this Sunday. The added distance could be a major help to this promising daughter of Victoire Pisa.
Two Listed winners who earned an automatic berth into the Yushun Himba are Curren Bouquetd’or and Loves Only You, both daughters of Deep Impact.
Curren Bouquetd’or won the Listed Sweetpea Stakes at Tokyo towards the end of April. She held on to win the 1800m race by a neck, so she will need to make sure there is a little more in the tank this time out extending to 2400m.
The unbeaten Loves Only You is a full sister to G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) winner Real Steel and she’s coming off of a dominating victory in the Listed Wasurenagusa Sho at Hanshin in early April. This well-bred filly showed 2000m was of no hindrance to her, so while the distance this time will probably not be an issue, she will need to bring all her class with her to beat the other established graded stakes contenders on Sunday.
