Japanese 2000 Guineas (Group 1)

JUSTIN Milano, in just his third career start, kept his unbeaten record intact with a commanding performance in the Grade 1 Satsuki Sho, the Japanese 2000 Guineas. The Masahiro Miki-owned colt had held an entry to the Derby at Epsom but will now remain on Japanese shores to run in the domestic equivalent.

Breaking from stall 13, Justin Milano was bustled along early to secure a prominent position. Meisho Tabaru, with Suguru Hamanaka as a passenger, set a blistering early pace, covering the first five furlongs in 57.5 seconds.

As the field approached Nakayama’s short home straight, with the pacemaker retreating quickly, Jantar Mantar kicked clear, followed by Justin Milano and Cosmo Kuranda emerging from the pack.

Staying on stoutly, Justin Milano took the lead in the final strides, with Cosmo Kuranda finishing a neck behind in second, Jantar Mantar trailed a further half-length behind in third.

The winning time was 1m 57.1secs, a 0.7 second improvement on the course record. Largely because of the early pace, the first six finishers all broke the previous record.

Emotion

The immediate Satsuki Sho celebrations quickly turned into an outpouring of emotion by winning trainer Yasuo Tomomichi and jockey Keita Tosaki.

Just days before, Kota Fujioka succumbed to injuries suffered in a racecourse fall, the ill-fated rider had a close association with the Tomomichi stable. Fujioka was the regular work rider of Justin Milano.

A visibly moved Keita Tosaki commented: “Kota was pushing us from behind. I believe he would be happy. Thank you, Kota. I just want to say, well done and rest now.”

Tomomichi echoed that tribute by saying: “I was yelling ‘Kota!’ in the straight. Kota rode him on Wednesday 4th and said, ‘it was perfect work for a week before the race.’ It was the last conversation I had with him; this win is for Kota.”

The tearful trainer continued: “Justin Milano is becoming calmer; he didn’t lose much weight during the trip to Nakayama, so he is maturing. To be honest, I thought the Derby would better suit him than the Satsuki Sho. We are aiming for the double.”

Connections of 2023 Champion Juvenile Colt, Jantar Mantar, have since announced that the son of Palace Malice will bypass the Derby in favour of the 1600m NHK Mile Cup.

He is unbeaten in two starts over a mile, including the Group 1 Futurity Stakes.

Eye catching

Sole filly in the race, Regaleira was the subject of heavy support in the betting market and was sent off as favourite. Ridden from well off-the-pace, she made eye-catching late progress but could only manage sixth place. She recorded the fastest final three-furlong sectional time.

European import, Shin Emperor, stayed-on to finish fifth, unable to match the turn-of-foot of the winner. The full-brother to Sottsass will likely relish the step up in trip on his next start in the Derby.

Year-on-year Satsuki Sho comparisons saw a 40% increase in racecourse attendance to 41,353 and a 5.5% increase on race wagering to €125m. The Satsuki Sho is the first leg of the colts’ Triple Crown, the first five finishers receive automatic entry in to the second leg, the Tokyo Yushun, Japanese Derby, scheduled for May 26th.

Justin Milano is by Kizuna out of the 2011 Nunthorpe winner Margot Did, by Exceed And Excel. Since being relocated to Hokkaido under the care of Northern Farm, Justin Milano is her third foal to carry the JPN suffix.

Margot Did has had a checkered breeding history but is reported to have produced a 2024 colt foal by Kitasan Black and is safely in-foal to Equinox.

It was the third individual Group 1 winner but first classic success for Shadai Stallion Station resident, Kizuna. The 14-year-old son of Deep Impact currently leads the overall Japanese stallion rankings by earnings. He stands for a 2024 stud fee of €75,000.