Catfight (R9 Nakayama, Aster Sho, Class 1 Win, 1600m, 9 Sep)

Saturday’s meeting at Nakayama heralded a new mile track record for two-year-olds following the outstanding performance of two-year-old filly Catfight in the 1600 metre Aster Sho.

A daughter of Discreet Cat, Catfight’s winning time of 1:33.1s broke the previous record of 1:33.4s set by Meiner Recolte way back in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes of 2004.

Having her third career start on Saturday, the Hiroyuki Uehara-trained Catfight jumped well for jockey Takuya Ono before settling just off the pace. She let down powerfully when asked to go at the top of the straight, streaking clear for Ono to register a 33.7s finale and put her hand up as a contender for this season’s more lucrative two-year-old fillies races. 

“She showed her turn of foot in the straight and proved that she is capable to win,” said Ono. 

Forlanini (R5 Nakayama, 2YO Newcomer, 2000m, 9 Sep)

Another juvenile to ‘announce’ himself at Nakyama on Saturday was Forlanini, a well-related son of Epiphaneia.

Stepping out for the first time in a 2000 metre Newcomer, the Sunday Racing-owned prospect jumped as a dominant 1.5 favourite, perhaps in no small part to his classy pedigree.

The two-year-old’s dam, Linate, is a half sister to Arima Kinen winner Satono Diamond, while Linate’s half-sister, Marchesa, is the dam of last year’s G1 Hopeful Stakes winner Dura Erede. 

Beginning positively to sit outside the lead, Forlanini accelerated when asked by jockey Christophe Lemaire to score with authority. 

“He settled well and accelerated well in the straight,” said Lemaire. “He has ability and he is suitable for races around 2000 metres.” 

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