The 40th Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1) - Handicapper's Report on the Japanese Contenders

As the counterpart of the Sprinters Stakes, which is recognized as part of the Global Sprint Challenge Series, the Takamatsunomiya Kinen was designated as an international race in 2001 and is positioned as the spring G1 target for sprinters and a key race in determining the season’s champion sprinter. The 1,200-meter G1 has not included any runners from overseas since 2003 and the race will be contested among an all-Japanese field as this year’s intended foreign runner, Sacred Kingdom, withdrew his entry due to colic. Meanwhile our own field is without 2009 JRA Best Sprinter, Laurel Guerreiro, as his connections decided to face him against international competition in Dubai after his success in both the Takamatsunomiya Kinen and the Sprinters Stakes (G1, 1,200m) in 2009. The absence of a dominant contender makes it difficult to predict the outlook of this year’s spring G1, however, the following are considered to be among the key runners from the Japanese lineup based on their performances in their step races and past performances.

Kinshasa no Kiseki Kinshasa no Kiseki (AUS, h7, by Fuji Kiseki, Rating: 110M) has come off three consecutive grade-race victories since winning the Swan Stakes (G2, 1,400m) in October last year and continues to be in good form. Although he missed claiming his first G1 title when finishing a close second to Fine Grain in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen two years ago, his recent upswing and his competitive past performances against G1 company give the impression that he stands a good chance for his first G1 title this time. His speed over the distance is the best in the field, hinting that a fast pace will not be an issue for the Southern Hemisphere-bred seven-year-old.

A Shin Forward A Shin Forward (USA, h5, by Forest Wildcat, Rating: 108M) has shown great improvement since the end of 2009. He landed his first grade-race title in his last start, the Hankyu Hai (G3, 1,400m) in which he beat B B Guldan, runner-up of the 2009 Sprinters Stakes. Statistics show that Hankyu Hai victors have proven to finish well in the past 10 Takamatsunomiya Kinen races while seven out of the 10 winners were five-year-olds, which is another favorable factor for the son of Forest Wildcat. His best distance is 1,400 meters, but his racing style from being forwardly positioned has been consistent and he should have no problem handling 1,200 meters.

Ultima Thule Ultima Thule (JPN, m6, by Fuji Kiseki, Rating: 109S) was the race favorite in the 2009 Sprinters Stakes, coming off her first grade-race victory in the Centaur Stakes (G2, 1,200m) in her previous start, but didn’t have enough at the stretch and finished fifth. Scoring her second grade-race victory in a G3 handicap race last month, the Silk Road Stakes (1,200m) which she won dominantly against a mixed field carrying 55.5 kg, she may have a better chance in her second G1 attempt at Chukyo Racecourse where her career record over 1,200 meters is two wins out of as many starts.

B B Guldan Kanoya Zakura Premium Box Other notable runners include B B Guldan (JPN, h6, by Chief Bearhart, Rating: 114S) who, although beaten in his previous start in the Hankyu Hai despite being sent to post favorite in the race, is a proven runner with two grade-race wins and a runner-up effort in the Sprinters Stakes. Kanoya Zakura (JPN, m6, by Sakura Bakushin O, Rating: 107S) will be making her seasonal debut in this race since finishing third in the 2009 Sprinters Stakes in October but the multiple grade-race winner is not to be underestimated. Another horse to look out for would be Premium Box (JPN, h7, by Admire Vega, Rating: 107S-M) who captured the 2009 CBC Sho (G3, 1,200m) title at Chukyo Racecourse with his sharp turn of speed and is coming into the race with three grade-race titles under his belt.