Sinhalite Dominates in Japanese Oaks

Courtesy of Japan Racing Association

Favorite Sinhalite showed her strength in dominating the Yushun Himba (Jpn-I, Japanese Oaks), claiming her first grade I title and second graded victory May 22 at Tokyo Racecourse.

 After three wins in a row from her 2-year-old debut in October, the filly bred by Northern Racing was denied the Oka Sho (Jpn-I, Japanese One Thousand Guineas) title by a mere two-centimeter margin but still proved to be an elite runner of her generation. Sinhalte is owned by U. Carrot Farm and trained by Sei Ishizaka.

Sinhalite was allowed to settle well off the pace near the rails in the 2,400-meter race run on firm turf. She and jockey Kenichi Ikezoe traveling fifth from last along the far stretch behind a moderate pace set by Dantsu Pendant. Having slightly drifted out coming into the homestretch, Sinhalite had to be patient while being surrounded by horses up to the top of the hill but did not fail to seize the moment to split horses and quickly gained on the leaders, overtaking Biche for a neck victory.

"We missed a beat coming out of the gate and had to race further back than intended in the early stages, but we were able to recover some ground along the way," said Ikezoe. "I was instructed by the trainer to save as much ground as possible since we had a good chance in the race from a good inside draw, so I didn't attempt to go wide, squeezing our way between horses instead. Once escaping the crowd, she responded really well and switched into gear."

The final time was 2:25.

Second pick Cecchino raced well off the pace in mid-field, swung wide into the straight and came with impressive speed to join Sinhalite in their bid for the lead but because she had more ground to cover came up a neck short for second.

Fifth choice Biche was positioned outside a rival a few lengths in front of Cecchino before making headway approaching the final corner, closed in on the leader coming down the center of the stretch and to take command soon after the furlong pole. She ran on gamely but was unable to hold off the late charging Sinhalite and Cecchino.

Ishizaka won his 14th career Japan Racing Association grade I race—the last victory at this level was the 2016 February Stakes with Moanin—and it was his second Yushun Himba title after winning the race with Gentildonna in 2012. Ikezoe, whose recent grade I victory was with Shonan Pandora in the 2015 Japan Cup, registered his 22nd career JRA grade I victory with his second Yushun Himba title after partnering Tall Poppy to victory in this race in 2008.