Daiwa Scarlet wires in QE II

Daiwa Scarlet led throughout at Kyoto on Sunday to make off with the Grade 1, $1.6 million Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup, Japan's definitive filly and mare test. Her three-quarter-length victory as the odds-on favorite was made far easier by the scratch of the Japanese Derby winner Vodka. The time for the 1 3/8 miles on firm ground was 2:11.90.

A half sister to four-time Grade 1 winner Daiwa Major, Daiwa Scarlet was winning for the fourth time in succession, having previously scored in the Japanese 1000 Guineas going a mile and the 1 1/4-mile Shuka Sho, both Grade 1 events themselves. Trained by Kunihide Matsuda for Keizo Oshiro, she has now won 6 of 8 career starts, with 2 seconds for earnings of $3,543,254.

* Viva Pataca served notice on Sunday that he is the horse to beat in the Dec. 9 Hong Kong Cup, powering to a one-length victory over Packing Winner in the Group 2, $385,000 International Cup Trial at Sha Tin, powering to a one-length victory in the Group 2, $385,000 International Cup Trial at Sha Tin. The odds-on winner covered the 1 1/4 miles on good to firm turf in 2:01.50.