Mozu Superflare taking on big guns in Takamatsunomiya Kinen

Three weeks after her first graded stakes win, the Kentucky-bred Mozu Superflare will start with a leading chance in one of Japan’s toughest sprints – Sunday’s Grade 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo Racecourse.

By Speightstown, Mozu Superflare has won 6 of 14 starts, the most prestigious of which was the Grade 3 Ocean Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse on March 2. The Ocean Stakes was run at six furlongs on turf, the same conditions as the $2.17 million Takamatsunomiya Kinen.

Mozu Superflare was purchased for $125,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. A 4-year-old filly, Mozu Superflare races for Capital System Co. and trainer Hidetaka Otonashi.

As of Friday, Mozu Superflare was rated as a likely second choice in the field of 18 behind Danon Smash. The presence of former leading rider Yutaka Take will draw some support to Mozu Superflare.

Danon Smash, a 4-year-old colt by Lord Kanaloa, won consecutive starts in Grade 3 sprints in November and January at Kyoto Racecourse. Sunday’s Takamatsunomiya Kinen will be Danon Smash’s third appearance in a Grade 1 race and first since a seventh in the NHK Mile for 3-year-olds last May.

There are two Kentucky-breds in the field. Mr Melody, a 4-year-old colt by Scat Daddy, is considered an outsider.

Mr Melody was a Grade 3 stakes winner in 2017, but was limited to three starts last year, including a fourth in the NHK Mile. Last month, Mr Melody was seventh in a Group 3 at Hanshin Racecourse.