Hearts Concerto (R5 Chukyo, 2yo Newcomer, 2000m, September 18)

An eight-length margin in a two-year-old race is a sure way to grab attention for the future but the best aspect of Hearts Concerto’s newcomer win was that he didn’t have everything his way. 

Winning jockey Kohei Matsuyama’s post-race interview revealed that a slow tempo forced him into making his move a long way from home. 

Despite the wide and sustained run, Hearts Concerto powered through Chukyo’s sharp rise in the straight to log a final 600m sectional of 33.9 seconds – 1.6s faster than any other runner – to obliterate his rivals. 

“He jumped well and I focused on his rhythm during the race,” Matsuyama said. “I realised the pace is slow and started to push him in the back straight to have a better position. He went easy and clear in the last 200 meters. I think he has a potential to grow and I am looking forward to his future.”

Art House (R11 Chukyo, G2 Rose Stakes 2000m, September 18)

Mitsumasa Nakauchida has produced a tidy training performance to bring unplaced Oaks filly Art House back in trip to notch an important stakes win. 

Jockey Yuga Kawada stuck with Art House despite the Oaks flop and is now looking forward to riding the filly in the G1 Shuka Sho, held at Hanshin this year because of the Kyoto Racecourse redevelopment, on October 16. 

“Her performance was not good in the Oaks,” Kawada said. “I am happy that she showed improvement in this race. Her rhythm is good in the first 1,000 meters and she can get a nice position naturally. Her performance is good in the straight.” 

Art House is by the same sire as Maurice, Screen Hero, and her dam Pearl Code was a Group 2 winner and second in the 2016 Shuka Sho behind Vivlos.