After senior retirement, Japanese racing needs a new champion and Efforia happy to oblige December 26 in Arima Kinen (G1) at Nakayama Racecourse.
Led by a solid performance by many of the nation’s best 3-year-olds, Efforia dominated the second run of the run to win 3/4 of the length. Longshot four years old Deep linking is a resolute second, stopping the latest retiree’s late bid, Chrono Genesis , who placed third in the finale of her career.
Efforia scored its sixth win in seven starts, the only defeat by a runner-up at Yushun Himba (Japanese Derby-G1). Three of the six wins went to 1st grade events, including Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1) in his previous start — a record that might be good enough to claim the Horse of the Year title. .
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Although Chrono Genesis can’t match the recent career-ending victories of Only love you , Opposite and Gran Alegria , she ran bravely in defeat and walked away with four 1st place wins of her own, including the 2020 Arima Kinen and Takarazuka Kinen (G1) backruns.
“She has been giving her all for the three years since her debut in Kokura at the age of 2,” said Chrono Genesis coach Takashi Saito. “She’s quite a horse.”
Arima Kinen’s 2,500 meters (about 1 mile, 4 1/2 feathers) tall is the longest challenge Efforia has set by trainer Yuichi Shikato. The foal responded enthusiastically, although jockey Takeshi Yokoyama said it may not have been at its peak at the end of a demanding campaign.
Efforia takes down G1 Arima Kinen! pic.twitter.com/3aILFpagIm
– SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 26, 2021
“(Efforia) today is not in perfect condition like in Tenno Sho (Autumn) where he is 120%,” said Yokoyama. “But his potential has proven that he can still deliver a remarkable performance even over longer distances. 25 hundred meters is the longest he has ever run. Unlike in the Derby he was comfortable and positioned well and was able to show his true strength.”
Arima Kinen’s results pay off any concerns that Japan could suffer a fall to first-class stars – or international competitors – as the calendar moves into 2022.
Two other promising 3-year-olds, Stella Veloce and Owner complete Wednesday and Thursday and will be counted in the new year.
Efforia comes to Arima Kinen as the favorite but coach Shikato admits he needs a good performance to cement his place at the top of the Japanese arena.
“Since he’s only 3 years old,” Shikato said before the race, “he’s still in the position of a challenger.”
No more.
Efforia, bred by Northern Farm and racing for Carrot Farm Co., Ltd, is manufactured by Heart’s Cry mare Katie’s Heart. He won both starts at the age of 2, both at 2,000 meters (about 1/4 mile), then won his debut at 3 years old going 1,800 meters (approx. 1/8 mile) in February at the Tokyo Circuit. . He jumped right into the abyss — successfully — on April 18 at the Battle of Satsuki Sho (Japan 2000 Guineas-G1) before suffering a single defeat at the hands of Shahryar at the Derby on 20 May.
In turn, Shahryar candidly assessed the quality of the Derby effort by finishing impressively in third at the Japan Cup (G1) on November 28 at Tokyo Racecourse and called it a season. after that attempt.
The race is the penultimate 1st class of the year in Japan. The Stocks of Hope (G1) for 2-year-olds on the same course on December 28 will prepare for the season.
