Dura Erede had to work hard to get his first top-level win in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Nakayama Racecourse on December 28 and a brave victory in the historic race championship gives his relationships hope for the 2023 classics.
The last group 1 event on the calendar also brought Japan’s first grade 1 win for the foal and its trainer, Manabu Ikezoe, and rider Bauyrzhan Murzabayev, a native of Kazakhstan riding. horse in Japan under a short-term license.
It was an impressive display of “endurance” from Dura Erede, who appeared to have been beaten for a short period of time with the first 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 mile). ) before going back to win a narrow shot.
The race begins with Top knife took the lead with Dura Erede accelerating on his outfield. The pair ran that way until they climbed the slopes of the long run and Top Knife and jockey Norihiro Yokoyama took the lead by nearly a quarter.
Dura Erede then found another device, closed the gap, and won with an official shot. king’s reignunder the leadership of Christophe Lemaire, completed a lengthy trilogy. Mikki Cappuccino and ghost thiefmost liked and second favorite, ranked fifth and fourth respectively.
Although this is the Japan Racing Association’s first win for Murzabeyev, the driver has become a star in Germany over the past few years.
“It’s the same great feeling as when I won my first group 1 race in Germany,” Murzabeyev said. “I’m very happy.
“I couldn’t tell if we won, it was very close. But my pony broke well and it was the plan to chase the pace in second place so everything went well. . After two tight seconds last weekend, I’m glad I finished first in the last 1st grade race of the year.”
Bred by Northern Racing and owned by Three H Racing Co., the dark brown foal is a bit slow in finding his way. He made three starts to win his first, which was in the 1,700-meter (about 1 1/16-mile) first event in Sapporo. He then placed fourth in Tokyo Sports Two Nisai Stakes (G2) on November 19.
After that race, his coach said he still needed to improve to win at Nakayama.
“I think he is progressing very well,” Ikezoe said. “He has a hard time sometimes and I hope he’ll be able to do all four turns well. That will depend on how well he can keep his balance and where he can get a little breather.
“He’s always been good in the off-season and he has a good racing feel. However, a lot will have to combine with him.”
And they did, indeed providing his connections with a promising candidate for the 2023 classic film.
Hopeful Stas only became a tier 1 event in 2017 but even before that, it was seen as an important springboard to future glory.
Among the stars who have used the race as a path to success are the 2010 Satsuki Sho (Japan’s Guinea 2000, G1) and the 2011 Dubai World Championship winner sponsored by Emirates Airlines. (G1) Victory Pisa 2013 Kikuka Sho (Japan St. Leger, G1) and 2014 Japan Cup (G1) winners epiphany Champion Tokyo Yushun (Japan Derby, G1) 2017 Rey de OroSatsuki Sho 2019 winner Saturnalia and Triple Crown winner in 2020 streaks.
Dura Erede was bred to follow in their footsteps. Dear Sir, stiffness won Satsuki Sho and Tokyo Yushun and his girl, Orfevre won the 2011 Triple Crown of Japan and twice runner-up at the Qatar Prix del l’Arc de Triomphe (G1).
