Sambista, a 6-year-old mare, overtook the field in deep stretch to win the G1 Champions Cup at Chukyo and pull off the 65-1 upset. Sambista was fourth in last year's running of the Champions Cup, which is the best any mare has ever finished against males on the dirt in a Japanese Group 1 stakes. She has been in the trifecta in her last four races, having finished third in Kawasaki's G3 Sparking Lady Cup July 1, second in the G3 Breeders' Gold Cup at Mombetsu Aug. 13, first in the G3 Ladies' Prelude S. at Ohi Oct. 1 and second in the G1 JBC Ladies Classic Nov. 3 last time out.
The dark bay stalked the pace along the rail in midpack of the stretched-out field during the opening accounts. She crept into contention nearing the far turn, angled out four wide at the top of the stretch and began her charge. The mare caught the leaders in the final furlong and edged clear for the win.
“I am really happy with the victory as I know that for a mare to win against male horses on the dirt surface, which requires considerable power, is not easy and none had finished better than fourth-place–Sambista was fourth last year–in the past JRA-Group 1 history,” said winning trainer Katsuhiko Sumii. “Credit goes to [jockey Mirco] Demuro for such a super ride to keep her in contention after racing her with the fast-flowing pace, and I found myself screaming my head off when Sambista nailed the front in midstretch, then praying that the strong chargers from behind would not catch her. Although the mare showed that she was competitive in this race last year and was consistent throughout this season, I did have my worries as she was another year older and nearing the age of becoming a broodmare. Otherwise, she did not require much in terms of training. I will have to discuss her future with the owner, but she may have another couple of starts before retiring.”
Jockey Mirco Demuro noted, “I'm really happy to have won this race. I rode her for the first time a few days ago on a regular exercise canter and gate test, and I felt that she was an honest mare. I wasn't given any specific instruction on how to ride the race, but studying her past performances, I did have some idea. The inside barrier number four certainly helped and she loaded smoothly, and after Mr. Sumii told me that a female runner had never fared better than fourth in a dirt Group 1, I really wanted to improve on that. We had a good start and was in a good position with Nihonpiro Ours [(White Muzzle {GB}) [who finished eleventh] and Copano Rickey (Gold Allure {Jpn}) [who finished seventh] in front of us. We had a little fright as our path was narrowed in both the third corner and going into the straight, but she really stretched well in the home straight and she was terrific. I thought that maybe our move was a little early when we overtook the two top Group 1 winners at midstretch and while a lot of horses started to tire, I was just urging her to stay. I really wanted to win, and she responded.”
CHAMPIONS CUP-G1, ¥184,320,000, Chukyo, 12-6, 3yo/up, 1800m, 1:50.40, gd
1–SAMBISTA (JPN), 121, m, 6, Suzuka Mambo (Jpn)
1st Dam : White Carnival (Jpn), by Misil
2nd Dam : Yellow Bloom (Jpn), by Park Regent
3rd Dam : Grand Dream (Jpn), by Tosho Boy (Jpn)
O-Hidaka Breedes Union; B-Grand Farm; T-Katsuhiko Sumii;
J-Mirco Demuro. ¥97,444,000. Lifetime Record: 28-11-4-6.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick
Rating: C+.
2–Nonkono Yume (Jpn), 123, c, 3, Twining–Nonko (Jpn), by
Agnes Tachyon (Jpn). O-Kazumasa Yamada; B-Shadai Farm.
¥38,984,000
3–Sound True (Jpn), 126, g, 5, French Deputy–Kyoei Truth (Jpn),
by Fuji Kiseki (Jpn). O-Hiroshi Yamada; B-Okada Stud.
¥24,492,000
Margins: 1.1/2, Nk, Hd. Odds: 65.40, 2.80, 11.60.Also ran: Roi Jardin (Jpn), Hokko Tarumae (Jpn), Wonder Acute (Jpn), Copano Rickey (Jpn), Grape Brandy (Jpn), Namura Victor (Jpn), Grand City (Jpn), Nihonpiro Ours (Jpn), Danon Liberty (Jpn), Corin Berry (Jpn), Roman Legend (Jpn), Kurino Star-Oh (Jpn), Gun Pit(Aus).
Click for the JRA chart and video. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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