RUN over the shorter trip of seven furlongs, the Group 2 Hochi Hai Fillies’ Revue took place a week after the Tulip Sho at the same venue as the Oka Sho at Hanshin racecourse in early March.

Once again the field appeared to be quite top heavy with obvious lines of form to follow and the remainder of the pack looking relatively exposed.

Corroborated by the betting market, the field was dominated by the top three with the remainder being offered at 16/1 or higher.

Sent off as 5/2 second favourite, Karakurenai, in her first attempt at group level landed the spoils continuing her progressive run of form on her fourth start.

In the hands of Mirco Demuro, Karakurenai had just one horse behind her at the three-furlong marker.

PROGRESS

Making progress widest of all of the 18 runners rounding the final bend, the daughter of Group 2-winning miler Lohengrin stayed on resolutely to collar the long-time leader in the final half furlong.

Race favourite and Group 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies third Reine Minoru finished second, with the Group 2-winning Jeune Ecole back in fourth.

Karakurenai finished leaving the impression that the extra furlong of the Oka Sho would be relished.

However, her pedigree would suggest that a mile would be towards the upper end of her stamina.

She is out of the winning five-furlong mare Burning Red, a daughter of classic winning mile and a quarter specialist Agnes Tachyon and also the dam of two other winning progeny, both successful at distances under a mile.