When Star Anise finished second by a neck in the Grade 3 Chukyo Nisai Stakes in Japan on Aug. 31, a frustrated jockey in Kohei Matsuyama wanted another chance on the 2-year-old filly. Matsuyama’s opportunity occurred in Sunday’s Grade 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies at Hanshin Racecourse. Matsuyama made the most of the situation. Closing from eighth in a field of 18, Star Anise rallied wide through the final three furlongs to take the lead with more than a furlong remaining in the one-mile race. Star Anise (who paid $10.40 in American pools) held her advantage to the finish, winning by 1 1/4 lengths over 6-1 Garavogue. Taisei Vogue (13-1) finished third, beaten two lengths, while 2-1 favorite Alankar was fifth. Alankar was last with six furlongs remaining and closed strongly around the turn and in early stretch. She was unable to sustain the rally and was beaten three lengths. :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. Star Anise was timed in 1:32.60, which equaled the stakes record set by Ascoli Piceno in 2023. The course record is 1:32.30. Ascoli Piceno was Japan’s champion 2-year-old filly of 2023, a title Star Anise may have clinched on Sunday. Star Anise started at a mile for the first time in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. In the Chukyo Nisai Stakes, Star Anise closed from sixth on the turn. Matsuyama has been aboard Star Anise for all four of her starts, including a six-furlong win in a maiden race at Kokura Racecourse in July. Matsuyama said the added distance on Sunday was a benefit for Star Anise. “Although it was her first time at a mile distance, she gave me the impression that she’d be just fine after her last start over 1,400 meters,” Matsuyama told Japan Racing Association publicity. “We were nearly stuck inside early in the race but, with a big stride like hers, I wanted her path to be clear and chose the outside route, which worked out just as I had imagined.” Star Anise, by Drefong, races for Katsumi Yoshida and trainer Tomokazu Takano. She will be pointed to the Japanese 1000 Guineas at a mile, which is held at Hanshin in early April. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.