Takarazuka Kinen (Group 1)

DESPITE being only the seventh choice in the betting, veteran rider Yutaka Take steered Meisho Tabaru to an all-the-way surprise win in the 11-furlong Group 1 Takarazuka Kinen.

The winning son of Gold Ship led the field wire-to-wire to capture his third graded and first Group 1 win after his fifth-place finish in the Group 1 Dubai Turf in April.

Trainer Mamoru Ishibashi, who won the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) as a jockey in 2006, registered his first Group 1 victory. Jockey Yutaka Take marked his 84th JRA-Group 1 title following last year’s Japan Cup with Do Deuce and extended his record of Takarazuka Kinen victories to five - Inari One (1989), Mejiro McQueen (1993), Marvelous Sunday (1997) and Deep Impact (2006).

Quick out of stall 12, four-year-old Meisho Tabaru set the pace and continued to lead the all-star field through the backstretch.

Although favourite Bellagio Opera made a good effort into the straight, the winner found another gear and pulled away for a comfortable three-length victory.

The four-year-old, bred by Mishima Farm out of winning French Deputy mare Meisho Tsubakuro, became Gold Ship’s second top-level winner after his Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) scorer Uberleben.

The rider said: “My plan was to take the lead and, although I was unsure about the pace, I think we were able to race at just the right pace. I knew the other horses were going to make [a] bid early, but my mount had good momentum going around the fourth corner and I was hoping that he would manage to push through.”

Bellagio Opera settled in fourth and shifted to the outside to make a bid, turning for home and, though unable to find his usual late charge, held off the strong charge from behind to hold second.

Justin Palace was well back early, but the son of Deep Impact launched the fastest kick over the last three furlongs and, while having too much ground to catch the front two finishers, crossed a neck behind the runner-up to finish third.

The Takarazuka Kinen is a race associated with the winner’s sire Gold Ship, the only dual winner of this 11-furlong race

Of the others, Durezza finished ninth and the filly Regaleira failed to find another gear in 11th.