2015 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1) - Preview

As the year rolls on, so too does the Grade 1 action in Japan, and on Sunday, Dec. 13, Hanshin Racecourse, near Osaka, will host the 67th running of the Grade 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, the track’s first top-flight race since the Takarazuka Kinen back in June. Twenty seven 2-year-old fillies have been nominated for the maximum 18-runner field, and the race carries a total purse of 135 million yen, with 65 million yen going to the winner.

It’s a mile race run over the outer course, and the race record is still held by the great Vodka, who ran the race in a time of 1 minute, 33.1 seconds back in 2006. Lead up races to this year’s Hanshin Juvenile Fillies include the Grade 3 Niigata Nisai Stakes, Grade 3 KBS Kyoto Sho Fantasy Stakes, and Grade 3 Artemis Stakes. In the past 10 years, trainers Hiroyoshi Matsuda, Naosuke Sugai and Katsuhiko Sumii have won seven of the races between them, but this year it’s looking as if Matsuda could be the only one with a runner. First favorites have won twice in the past decade, but interestingly enough, winners during this time, except for 2005, have all been in the first five in the betting. The fillies carry a set weight of 54 kgs, and post time is 3:40 pm local time.

Here is a look at some of those expected to be in the lineup:

Major Emblem Major Emblem – A chestnut filly by Daiwa Major, she is two wins and one second from just three starts. She won on her debut at Tokyo, and most recently finished second in the Grade 3 Artemis Stakes, also at Tokyo over a mile in October. She was bred at Northern Farm, runs in the Sunday Racing colours, and is trained by Yasuhito Tamura. The trainer recently said, “In her second race, she was able to overcome the slow pace and win. It was a shame that she got robbed of a win in the Artemis Stakes. Since then, we have changed her training pattern by giving her a horse to follow, and keeping her back and being patient with her. This makes her more controllable, and it’s clear she’s able to run like this with patience. Jockey Christophe Lemaire also believes this has helped in her training. She’s used to going between the farm and the training center, so hopefully there’ll be no problems while she’s in transit (to Hanshin Racecourse).”

Blanc Bonheur Blanc Bonheur –A grey filly by Deep Impact, Blanc Bonheur has already accumulated over 44 million yen in prize money. She won the Hakodate Nisai Stakes over 1,200 meters, and most recently finished third in the Grade 3 KBS Kyoto Sho Fantasy Stakes over 1,400 meters in November. Jockey Yasunari Iwata has partnered her in all her races so far, and after her last race said: “She’s coming on well and has gotten bigger (10 kgs), and I just felt she didn’t really get switched on last time, but with the distance at a mile next time, this should suit her.” Blanc Bonheur was bred by North Hills Co. Ltd. and is trained by Kazuya Nakatake.

Candy Barows Candy Barows – She is trained by Yoshito Yahagi, and is a daughter of Deep Impact.  She is another in the lineup with two wins from three starts, placing second in her other start. The small filly with a big heart most recently won the Grade 3 KBS Kyoto Sho Fantasy Stakes in November. Trainer Yahagi recently said: “We’ll aim her at the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. Weighing just 410 kgs, there’s a slight concern as to how she might go on the turf at Hanshin, together with coping with the rise, but she’s a filly with some guts and determination.”

Denko Ange Denko Ange – A dark bay filly by Meisho Samson, she was the one who spoiled the party for Major Emblem last time in the Grade 3 Artemis Stakes, just getting up to win in the last breath. Assistant for trainer Yoshiyuki Arakawa stated: “She’s still a young horse and developing, but she won her last race on pure ability.”

Win Fabulous Win Fabulous – A grey filly by Stay Gold, Win Fabulous has four career runs to date. She won on her second start over 1,800 meters at Fukushima Racecourse in July, and finished fifth most recently in the Grade 3 Artemis Stakes over 1,600 meters. Her trainer Yoshihiro Hatakeyama recently said: “We’re pleased with the way things are going with her and everything is in order. After a couple of more pieces of work, I think she’ll be ready for the race.”

Medjerda Medjerda – A bay filly by Deep Impact, Medjerda has shown early speed and likes to lead, winning one of her five career starts in that fashion and coming in second on three occasions. Medjerda is trained by Mitsugu Kon, and her big race jockey is likely to be Hirofumi Shii, the rider in four of her starts.

Queue du Lapin Queue du Lapin –Bred at Northern Farm, Queue du Lapin runs in the colours of Silk Racing Co. Ltd., and has won her last two starts, the latest being the Saffron Sho over 1,600 meters at Nakayama Racecourse in October. All her runs have been over a mile on firm going. Jockey Hironobu Tanabe has been working the horse recently and will probably take the ride come race day.

At the Seaside At the Seaside – The filly by King Kamehameha has won both of her two career starts, and although they have come over 1,400 meters, she shows a turn of foot in the home straight that suggests the extra distance would not be a problem.

Crocosmia Crocosmia – One of the more experienced fillies nominated, the daughter of Stay Gold will be making her eighth career start with a run in this race. She has prize money totaling 34 million yen and appears to act on any going. She most recently won the Akamatsu Sho over a mile at Tokyo Racecourse in November.

Source (comments): Nikkan Sports and Net Keiba