Japan: Circle of Life tries Namur again in Japanese 1000 Guineas
Circle of Life was the champion 2-year-old filly of 2021 in Japan, a status that she may find difficult to retain in the 3-year-old division this year.
Circle of Life was third to Namur in the Grade 2 Tulip Sho at a mile at Hanshin Racecourse on March 5 in her first start of the year and must face that rival again in Sunday’s Grade 1 Japanese 1000 Guineas at a mile at Hanshin.
Circle of Life and Namur are expected to lead the betting in the $2.3 million Japanese 1000 Guineas, the first leg of the Triple Crown for 3-year-old fillies in that country. The Japanese 1000 Guineas is formally known as the Oka Sho.
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This is the third consecutive meeting between Circle of Life and Namur. In the Grade 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies in December, Circle of Life won by a half-length, clinching the championship. Namur could only manage fourth, beaten 1 1/4 lengths.
Namur, who runs as a closer, has won 3 of 4 starts, while Circle of Life, who races closer to the front, has won 3 of 5 starts.
Circle of Life and Namur did not draw well. They will start from posts 16 and 18 in a field of 18.
The Japanese 1000 Guineas field includes Pin High, who was second in the Tulip Sho in her second start; the undefeated Presage Lift; and Water Navillera, who was third in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies and fifth in the Tulip Sho.
Pin High won her lone start at 2 in a seven-furlong maiden race last October and was beaten 1 1/2 lengths by Namur in the Tulip Sho.
Presage Lift has won two races, including the Grade 3 Queen Cup at a mile at Tokyo Racecourse in February.
The Japanese 1000 Guineas has a post time of 2:40 a.m. Eastern on Sunday or 11:40 p.m. Pacific on Saturday.