Race favorite Star Anise claimed this year’s Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas), the first leg of the fillies’ Triple Crown. The Drefong filly scored 2-1-0 out of four starts last year including a victory in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1, 1,600m), her previous start, which earned her the Best Two-Year-Old Filly title. Trainer Tomokazu Takano registered his 12th JRA-G1 win following the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies with this filly while it was his first classic title. Jockey Kohei Matsuyama won his ninth G1 victory since the year-end Hopeful Stakes with Lovcen and second Oka Sho title after Daring Tact who went on to complete the fillies’ Triple Crown sweep in 2020.
Star Anise broke smoothly from an outside gate 15 but got excited briefly after being shuffled back by rivals closing from both sides. Managing to keep the filly in hand, Matsuyama settled her in mid-division around 9th or 10th up to the last turn where the Drefong filly was steered slightly out for a clear run. As soon as the filly was released to go, Star Anise immediately shot forward and assumed command before the furlong pole and continued to pull away easily and opening the gap for a 2-1/2-length victory.
“The race was said to be a close competition this year but I had every faith in my filly and while the pressure to run as the 2025 two-year-old champion was great, I am relieved and happy to have been able to show the fans the power that she possesses. My main goal during the race was to have her stay in good rhythm and I felt plenty of energy beneath me, so much so that I could keep her back and still trust her to respond powerfully when asked, which she did with great ease. I am not certain what plan awaits her after this race but I think that she has a great future to look forward to,” commented Kohei Matsuyama.
Garavogue was unhurried out of the gate and in good position around 4th while saving ground along the rails down the backstretch. Shifting out for the stretch run nearing the final turn and increasing her speed down the center lane, the Lord Kanaloa filly was soon joined by the winner on the outside and, although showing terrific effort to chase that foe after taken over before the 200-meter pole, she was no match for the winner while successfully proving second best.
12th pick Zippy Tune raced well behind, second from last while saving ground along the rails, waited patiently for the field to spread out wide turning for home and immediately shot forward through an opening in the inside with great force that equaled the fastest finish with the winner to close in well for third.
Other Horses:
4th: (6) I Need You—ran around 4th on rails, sustained bid, surrendered 3rd place by neck before wire
5th: (7) Alankar—trailed in rear, angled out, launched late speed but had too much ground to cover
6th: (10) Namura Cosmos—traveled wide around 13th, passed tired rivals
7th: (2) Saint Antoine—hugged rail around 7th, angled out, needed more
8th: (4) Elegance Ask—traveled around 13th, showed effort until 100m out
9th: (14) Dream Core—settled wide around 11th, failed to respond
10th: (16) Shonan Charis—sat around 5th, ran gamely until 200m pole
11th: (13) Lily Joie—broke through gate before start and was re-loaded into outermost stall, ran near rear, circled wide, lacked needed kick
12th: (3) Dear Diamond—positioned around 9th, unable to reach contention
13th: (12) Sweet Happiness—raced wide around 15th, never fired
14th: (9) Rule the Wave—stalked leader in 2nd, rallied for lead until 300m out
15th: (17) Black Chalice—traveled wide around 7th, dropped back after final corner
16th: (18) Presepio—advanced to 3rd from wide stall, showed tenacity until 300m out
17th: (1) Festival Hill—saved ground around 11th, showed little at stretch
18th: (8) Longing Celine—set pace, faded after 300m out