Japan: Cervinia, Lemaire combine to win Japanese Oaks

The partnership of the 3-year-old filly Cervinia and jockey Christophe Lemaire were reunited for the first time since October in Sunday’s Grade 1 Japanese Oaks at Tokyo Racecourse.

The team recorded a minor upset in the $2.08 million classic at 1 1/2 miles on turf.

Cervinia ($10.90) closed from off the pace to catch stretch leader Stellenbosch, the even-money favorite. Cervinia won by a half-length. Stellenbosch, the winner of the Grade 1 Japanese 1000 Guineas, finished 1 3/4 lengths in front of third-place finisher Light Back (7-1).

Lemaire brought Cervinia wide in the stretch and overcame minor traffic issues to reach contention in the final furlong. Stellenbosch also raced through traffic while running closer to the rail. Stellenbosch led briefly in deep stretch.

For Lemaire, the Japanese Oaks was his first major stakes win since returning earlier this month from a collarbone injury sustained in Dubai on March 30.

“I’m back,” Lemaire told Japan Racing Association publicists. “It’s a wonderful feeling.”

Lemaire rode Cervinia to a win in the Grade 3 Artemis Stakes at a mile at Tokyo Racecourse last October in the filly’s final start at 2. Cervinia finished 13th of 18 behind Stellenbosch in the Japanese 1000 Guineas at a mile when ridden by Bauyrzhan Murzabayev. The 1000 Guineas is formally known as the Oka Sho in Japan.

“The filly didn’t do well in the Oka Sho, but I know how high her potential is and I was very confident,” Lemaire said.

Lemaire took a patient approach with Cervinia on Sunday.

“I tried not to let her make an early bid - let her find her stride after turning into the straight – and she just stretched beautifully from there,” he said.

Cervinia, by the Dansili stallion Harbinger, has won 3 of 5 starts. She races for Sunday Racing Co., Ltd., and trainer Tetsuya Kimura.

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