2017 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1) winner and second favorite Rey de Oro dominated this year’s Tenno Sho (Autumn)scoring his second G1 win in a tough competition which included six other G1 winners.
After claiming all three of his two-year-old starts including the Hopeful Stakes (G2), the King Kamehameha colt commenced his three-year-old campaign with a fifth in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas, G1) then claimed
the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1).
He landed another graded win in the Kobe Shimbun Hai (G2) and capped off the season with a runner-up effort in the Japan Cup (G1). This year, following a third in the Kyoto Kinen (G2) and a fourth in his overseas challenge, the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), the colt was refreshed after given a six-month break and claimed the All Comers (G2) in September.
Trainer Kazuo Fujisawa’s most recent G1 win was with the colt in last year’s Tokyo Yushun and he now celebrates 27 JRA-G1 career wins. This is his sixth Tenno Sho (Autumn) triumph while the others were with; Bubble Gum Fellow (1996), Symboli Kris S (2002 and 2003), Zenno Rob Roy (2004) and Spielberg (2014).
For Jockey Christophe Lemaire, this was his 20th JRA- G1 victory and third consecutive weekend to score a G1 win following the Shuka Sho with Almond Eye and the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) with Fierement. This was his second
three-week G1 winning streak, a feat he also accomplished last year (Victoria Mile, Yushun Himba [Japanese Oaks], Tokyo Yushun) while the only other jockey to do so was Olivier Peslier in 2001 (Mile Championship, Japan Cup, Hanshin juvenile Fillies).
The race got underway with sixth favorite Kiseki leading the field, Al Ain and Vivlos chasing the pace and Rey de Oro reserved in sixth. Shifting to an outer route after the last turn in fifth, Rey de Oro unleashed a strong turn of foot, picked off all runners in front of him but one by the furlong marker and finally took over the lead from the stubborn pace setter 100 meters out to clear the wire a 1-1/4-length winner.
“I knew I had a good chance to win the Tenno Sho title for the first time. The colt’s condition and the race development were perfect. The pace was just right and the colt was relaxed so everything went smoothly. He showed good long-lasting speed. I’m grateful to be given great rides and am happy to be doing this well (tied with the most annual G1 wins (six)),” commented Christophe Lemaire.
Fourth favorite Sungrazer cruised two lengths behind Rey de Oro in mid-field, furiously chased the eventual winner down the straight while displaying the fastest last three-furlong drive, dug in gamely and poked his nose in front of Kiseki at the wire, stealing the runner-up seat.
Race favorite Suave Richard had to travel near the rear from being bumped heavily after the break and never reached contention, finishing 10th.
THE 158TH TENNO SHO (AUTUMN) (G1)
3-year-old & up, 2,000 meters (about 10 furlongs), turf, left-handed
Sunday, October 28, 2018 Tokyo Racecourse 11th Race Post time: 15:40
Total prize money: ¥ 325,000,000 (about US$ 2,955,000 <US$1=¥110>)
3-y-o: 56kg (about 124 lbs), 4-y-o & up: 58kg (about 128 lbs)
1. Rey de Oro (JPN), bay, colt, 4-year-old
King Kamehameha / La Dorada (Symboli Kris S)
Owner: U. Carrot Farm Breeder: Northern Racing
Trainer: Kazuo Fujisawa Jockey: Christophe Lemaire
11 Starts, 7 Wins
Added money: ¥ 152,814,000 Career earnings: ¥ 769,360,700
2. Sungrazer (JPN), dark bay or brown, colt, 4-year-old
Deep Impact / Mantis Hunt (Deputy Minister)
Owner: G1 Racing Co., Ltd. Breeder: Oiwake Farm
Trainer: Hidekazu Asami Jockey: Joao Moreira
3. Kiseki (JPN), dark bay or brown, colt, 4-year-old
Rulership / Blitz Finale (Deep Impact)
Owner: Tatsue Ishikawa Breeder: Shimokobe Farm
Trainer: Kazuya Nakatake Jockey: Yuga Kawada
Other Horses:
4th: (7) Al Ain—chased leader in 2nd, overtaken by winner 200m out and runner-up 100m out
5th: (11) Mikki Rocket—ran in 5th, even paced at stretch
6th: (12) Sakura Empereur—sat in 9th, angled out, passed tired rivals at stretch
7th: (6) Makahiki—raced in 10th, lacked needed kick at stretch
8th: (3) Vivlos—settled in 3rd, showed effort until 200m marker, dropped back
9th: (1) Staphanos—traveled in 4th, faded after 400m marker
11th: (13) Action Star—trailed in rear, no factor throughout
12th: (2) Black Moon—hugged rails in 8th, gradually fell back at stretch
ER: (8) Danburite—broke loose after entering the track
Fractional time (sec./furlong): 12.9 - 11.5 - 11.8 - 11.5 - 11.7 - 11.6 - 11.3 - 10.9 - 11.6 - 12.0
Last 4 furlongs: 45.8 Last 3 furlongs: 34.5
