Japanese St Leger 1-2 return for Tenno Sho (Spring)

The grade 1 Tenno Sho (Spring) at Kyoto Racecourse April 28 literally ushers in a new era for Japan with a rematch of the 1-2 finishers from last year's grade 1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger).

Fierement, a 4-year-old Deep Impact colt, ran his record to three wins and a second with the Kikuka Sho win Oct. 21 at Kyoto. Unraced at 2, he started the current season with a runner-up showing behind Sciacchetra in the American Jockey Club Cup (G2) in January at Nakayama.

Trainer Takahisa Tezuka said the three-month break was occasioned by "a slight fever" after the American Jockey Club Cup.

 "In work after that he was good, although not quite finishing off so well because of his condition," Tezuka said. "He's since had a break at Northern Farm Tenei, and after returning, his training April 10 was fine. He picked up speed well and moved without any problems."

The runner-up finish by Etario in the Kikuka Sho was a familiar showing for the Stay Gold colt. He has been second in seven of nine starts, including his season opener, the March 23 Nikkei Sho (G2) at Nakayama. He was fourth in last year's grade 1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby).

An equipment change is set for Etario in an effort to get him over the hump.

"Last time in the Nikkei Sho, he took the bit from the start and ran well," said Etario's trainer, Yasuo Tomomichi. "Since that run, we've changed his blinkers to a lighter type, and he's worked well in training, not showing any problem and running powerfully."

Fierement drew gate 10 in the 13-horse field. Christophe Lemaire will ride. Etario will start from gate 2 with Mirco Demuro aboard. Yutaka Take, who has ridden eight winners of the Tenno Sho (Spring), misses this year's edition to ride Deirdre in the FWD QE II Cup (G1) in Hong Kong.

The Tenno Sho field also includes Nikkei Sho winner Meisho Tekkon; Glory Vase, fifth in the Kikuka Sho but a winner in his only previous 2019 start; and Clincher, second in the 2017 Kikuka Sho but still seeking a grade 1 win in his seventh try at the top level.

The race is run right-handed at 3,200 meters (about two miles), passing the Kyoto grandstand twice. The crowd traditionally greets the first passage of the field with an enthusiastic wave of applause—an iconic moment in Japanese racing.

The Tenno Sho takes place in spring and autumn to honor the Emperor of Japan, and this year's spring edition comes at a historic moment. The Heisei Era, which started Jan. 8, 1989, the day after the death of Emperor Hirohito, is to end April 31 when Hirohito's son, the current Emperor Akihito, relinquishes the throne to his eldest son, Naruhito, inaugurating the Reiwa Era.