Thermal Soaring (R12 Nakayama, Class 2 Win, 1800m, Dirt, 23 Sep)

Thermal Soaring’s first seven career starts all came on turf for a return of just one win and one placing. But since being switched to dirt at Chukyo on July 23, the daughter of Tokyo Yushun winner Duramente has looked an altogether different prospect.

At Chukyo, Thermal Soaring led all the way to win by over ten lengths despite being eased down well short of the post. Having her second start on the dirt at Nakayama on Saturday, jockey Atsuya Nishimura elected not to press on to the front despite a nice getaway, instead positioning the Hideaki Fujiwara-trained three-year-old just in behind the leaders. 

Eased into the clear approaching the final turn Thermal Soaring was able to take the lead effortlessly, Nishimura electing not to reach for the whip as the pair cruised home five-length winners. 

Based on the style of her latest two performances the Carrot Farm-owned filly can measure up to dirt Group races.

Birth Cry (R10 Hanshin, Hokusetsu Tokubetsu, Class 2 Win, 1200m, 23 Sep)

Another three-year-old filly to make it two wins on the trot on Saturday was the Teruhiko Chida-trained Birth Cry, who impressed in registering a half-length victory against the older horses over the Hanshin 1200 metres.

Jumping well for jockey Mirai Iwata, the Godolphin-owned Birth Cry settled midfield before displaying powerful acceleration to defeat fellow filly Grand Est, who had just shaded her for race favouritism at 2.5.

Iwata, fresh off a narrow victory in this year’s World All-Star Jockeys at Sapporo, forecast bigger things for the daughter of Heart’s Cry.

“I think her turn of foot was strong,” said Iwata. “And this kind of turn foot would help her in higher-class races.”

JRA Blackbook: Quick Bio keeps her mind on the job at Hanshin