Lachesis Edges Nuovo Record in QE II Cup

The runner-up in last year's Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Jpn-I), Lachesis proved best in this year's edition Nov. 16 when winning by neck from Japanese Oaks (Jpn-I) victress Nuovo Record at Kyoto.

 

Lachesis halted a five race winless stretch that included her second to Meisho Mambo in the 2014 Queen Elizabeth II Cup to conclude last season and a creditable fourth in the Kyoto Kinen (Jpn-II) in her first outing this year for trainer Katsuhiko Sumii. She followed with a second in the Chunichi Shimbun Hai (Jpn-III) in March but was subsequently a disappointing 15th in the Victoria Mile (Jpn-I) in May.

 

Coming in off an impressive runner-up effort against males in the Sankei Sho All Comers Stakes (Jpn-II) Sept. 28, 4-year-old Lachesis broke through for her first group win Sunday.  

 

Breaking a step slowly, Lachesis found a good spot along the rails in mid-division in the field of 18 fillies and mares, behind a brisk pace set by Sunshine, with 3-1 favorite Nuovo Record in view rounding the first turn. 

 

In hand to the final turn, Lachesis was held back briefly as the field picked up speed turning for home. As soon as an opening appeared she surged between rivals in pursuit of Nuovo Record, who shot past the leaders to take command with a furlong to run. While Nuovo Record and rider Yasunari Iwata looked set for victory, Lachesis closed ground with every stride and collared the leader in the final strides to get the win.

 

"Her start wasn't great but we were able to position ourselves in an ideal spot behind Nuovo Record during the first two corners," said winning rider Yuga Kawada. "We were squeezed in a bit at the straight, but she had plenty of run and the will to go, and really stretched well up to the finish."

 

Lachesis' stablemate Dia de la Madre was up to take third, 1 1/4 lengths farther back, after rating well off the pace early and then gradually edging forward along the backstretch. Angling wide into the stretch, she unleashed an impressive charge and rolled past rivals while short of reaching the top two finishers.  

 

At 13-2 odds, Lachesis completed the 2,200-meter (about 1 3/8-mile) trip in 2:12.03 on turf labeled firm. The 4-year-old daughter of Deep Impact has a 4-3-0 career line from 11 starts for owner Masaya Oshima.

 

Last year's Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner Meisho Mambo, the 11-2 second choice, raced in third and wide throughout. She had no rally and finished 12th in trying for a repeat.

 

Lachesis, who was bred in Japan by Northern Farm, was produced by 2002 Monmouth Breeders' Cup Oaks (gr. II) winner Magic Storm, a daughter of Storm Cat who twice placed at the grade I level. Magic Storm is a half sister to the dam of 2011 Del Mar Futurity (gr. I) winner Drill. 

 

Northern Farm consigned Lachesis to the 2010 Japan Racing Horse Association's select yearling sale, where she sold for $338,520 to Ladyos Corp.