Tastiera (Jpn)

Sunday's G1 FWD QEII Cup featured a Japanese winner in 2023 G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) hero Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}), but that joy quickly turned to heartbreak, as Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown heroine Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) succumbed to injuries sustained during the running of the 2000-metre event. Second favourite in the betting at 11-4, the 5-year-old entire was forwardly placed and soon perched three wide into the first turn while New Zealand multiple Group 1 winner El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking {Aus}) enjoyed an uncontested lead. They...

No G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner has ever won the G1 FWD QEII Cup over 2000 metres at Sha Tin, but on Sunday, Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) will attempt to become the first. And with the absence of three-time QEII Cup hero Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), there is no better time to try. Co-owned by Resolute Racing's John Stewart, the likeable Goliath was a 2 1/4-length victor over subsequent G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}) at Ascot in July. Given...

A bumper field has been declared for Sunday's G1 Tenno Sho (Spring), with 18 runners set to do battle over the 3,200-metre distance at Kyoto Racecourse. The race is run over a longer trip than any other Group 1 in the JRA calendar and staying was typically the name of the game last year when Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) ground his rivals into submission with a dominant performance under Christophe Lemaire. Justin Palace is a notable absentee from this year's line-up, but the likes of Deep Bond (Jpn)...

Despite an ever-growing Japanese presence at the Dubai World Cup meeting in the UAE, Sunday's 2000-metre G1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin still boasts five Group 1 winners, four of them Classic scorers and several other progressive types hunting for their first Group 1 ring. One of the top picks in the 16-strong field is last year's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner, Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}), who ran second in both the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas)--to Sol Oriens (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn})--and the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese...