Enya Love Faith (R5 Chukyo, 2YO Newcomer, 1600m, 16 July)

Trainer Naoyuki Morita unveiled a talented two-year-old at Chukyo on Sunday in the form of A Shin Hikari colt Enya Love Faith, who recorded a dominant mile victory at his first time at the races. 

A full-brother to two-time JRA winner Kaju Faith, the Champions Farm product got away from the gates cleanly before enjoying a lovely run just behind the leader, opening right up in the straight to finish off in 34.3s.

Jockey Yuji Hishida was not surprised by the five length victory, having held a high opinion of the colt after some encouraging track gallops.

“I thought he was a good horse during trackwork,” explained Hishida.

“His temper is good, and he settled well, and I did not have to worry much after that. He should be flexible to race over different distances.”

Ask One Time (R1 Chukyo, 2YO Maiden, 1200m, 15 July)

Group victories run in the family for Ask One Time and the Lord Kanaloa two-year-old could yet follow in his siblings’ footsteps and snare some stakes wins of his own after a smart maiden victory at Chukyo on Saturday.

Beaten over the Chukyo 1200m a fortnight ago, the full brother to G2 Keio Hai Nisai Stakes winner Fantasist and G3 Kitakyushu Kinen winning mare Buon Voyage bounced back strongly kept to the same course and distance. 

Travelling well within himself for jockey Mirai Iwata as he stalked the leaders approaching the final turn, Ask One Time unleashed a powerful turn of foot in putting a five-length margin on his rivals, a win made all the more impressive given his jockey’s assertion that the colt has significant mental improvement to come.

“He jumped well and stayed behind the horse who finished second in the race,” said Iwata.

“He did not very focus during the race but was still able to win solidly. I hope he can improve more and win Group races like his brother.”

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