Sweep Tosho wins in Japan

Sweep Tosho concluded her 4-year-old campaign Sunday with her second Grade 1 triumph of the year in the $1.65 million Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup at Kyoto, Japan.

Sweep Tosho came late under Kenichi Ikezoe to catch the pacesetting Osumi Haruka for a half-length victory in the 1 3/8-mile race. Sent off as the 9-5 second choice - behind 3-2 favorite Air Messiah, who ran fifth - Sweep Tosho covered the distance in 2:12.50 on firm ground. Two-time defending champ Admire Groove was third, three lengths behind the winner.

Sweep Tosho, who had been running against colts all year, last won on June 26 at Hanshin, taking the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen at the QEII's 1 3/8-mile distance.

Sweep Tosho will be put away for the winter and return to the races next spring, trainer Akio Tsurudome said.

At Sha Tin on Sunday, 9-10 favorite Vengeance of Rain narrowly won the Group 2, $386,700 International Cup Trial. Trained by David Ferraris, Vengeance of Rain just got up under Anthony Delpech, defeating Green Treasure by a head while running the 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.70 on good to firm ground. A three-time Group 1 winner last season, Vengeance of Rain, 5, won for the first time in three starts this season. The 5-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding will go next in the $2.3 million Hong Kong Cup on Dec. 11.