BRINGING ASIAN RACING TO THE WORLD
A son of Satono Crown emulated his sire in winning the G1 Satsuki Sho lead-up, the G2 Yayoi Sho, while an improving dirt performer ran his rivals ragged at Nakayama.
The Noriyuki Hori-trained colt Tastiera has entered the G1 Satsuki Sho frame after a decisive victory in Sunday’s G2 Yayoi Sho (Deep Impact Kinen) at Nakayama.
Tackling 2000 metres for the first time after competing over 1800 metres at his first two starts, Tastiera jumped smartly from a middle draw to settle midfield for jockey Kohei Matsuyama, before taking closer order approaching the final bend, forging to the front to defeat favourite Top Knife by a length in a race that largely advantaged the on-pace brigade.
“His racing rhythm was good and he settled well off a slow pace,” said Matsuyama.
“His response was strong when turning into the straight. I thank connections for trusting me; I’m glad to win this Satsuki Sho prelude and I hope he can perform well next time.”
Tastiera’s victory represented a maiden Group success for stallion Satono Crown, best known for his G1 Hong Kong Vase victory in 2016 but who himself also won the Yayoi Sho in 2015.
Koji Maki’s four-year-old Best Regard continued an impressive recent run of form on the Nakayama dirt 1800-metre course with a faultless front-running performance on Saturday.
Ridden aggressively out of the gates by Akihide Tsumura, Best Regard was able to find the front and dictate proceedings accordingly. Controlling the pace throughout, the son of Danon Legend secured a winning break when accelerating several lengths clear halfway up the running, before being throttled down to defeat Mikki Nuchibana by just under a length.
Best Regard has hit his straps over the Nakayama 1800 metres. (Photo by @studiotakao)
“He was hyped after coming back from a short break,” said Tsumura.
“His racing rhythm was good during the race, and I just followed his pace. He grew up and I think he loved this distance.”
Best Regard continued his sire’s strong results with dirt performers, and can measure up to higher quality stakes races going forward.
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