Liberty Island (R5 Newcomer, 1600m, Niigata, July 30)

Sometimes it pays not to ignore the obvious, and the obvious here is that Liberty Island is a superstar in the making. 

This win – and the incredible final 600m sectional clocked – has had tongues wagging all week. After sitting on the speed, Liberty Island kicked away and scorched the turf in a final 600m of 31.4s, which is the fastest recorded in JRA history.

The filly had already been the focus before her first start due to her high profile breeding (by Duramente and out of Group 1-winning Australian mare Yankee Rose) and some powerful displays in trackwork. 

Trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida is keeping his cards close to his chest regarding the filly’s next outing but it is likely we will see her in the big end-of-season Group 1s for two-year-olds. 

The scary part for Liberty Island’s potential rivals wherever she shows up next was found in jockey Yuga Kawada’s post-race comments: “I am looking forward to her improvement in the future.”

Scuba (R1, Maiden, dirt 1200m, Niigata, July 31)

The seven-length margin was eye-catching, then there was the record-setting time, but there were more factors to this two-year-old’s dirt win that made her one to watch.

First of all, she showed great gate speed from a wide barrier to take a prominent spot, but when jockey Mirai Iwata could not find the lead, she relaxed underneath him. 

Scuba traveled wide throughout before booting away to break a two-year-old and distance record that had stood for more than 10 years. 

Iwata said it was his horse’s high cruising speed that had impressed him most. 

“She can stay in a good position after jumping from the gate. Her turn of foot is strong in the straight. I think her ability is high.”