No matter which side of Asia he races, Equinox has been brilliant in 2023.
Equinox, the 2022 Japanese Horse of the Year, won his first start of the year in the Group 1 Sheema Classic in Dubai in March. On Sunday, Equinox won his fourth consecutive race at the highest level in the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Hanshin Racecourse in Japan.
The lightly raced Australian filly Two Aye has developed a sharp closing style that could lead to a career with multiple wins.
Two Aye, who starts in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Kembla Grange Racecourse on Monday evening, closed well to beat maidens as the 1-2 favorite at Goulburn Racecourse on May 26 in her third start.
In her debut against winners, Two Aye closed from 12th in a field of 13 to finish third by a length in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Hawkesbury on June 11. Two Aye broke slowly at Hawkesbury and made up more than nine lengths through the stretch.
Smooth Esprit nearly scored a 40-1 upset in a handicap at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia, on June 10, and will have an easier assignment in a one-mile handicap at Dubbo Racecourse on Sunday evening.
The race could be even more straightforward for Smooth Esprit, depending on whether the 4-year-old filly Amarantz starts.
Amarantz was entered in a handicap at Narrandera on Saturday evening. If she scratches from the race at Dubbo, Smooth Esprit will be an odds-on favorite in a field of 11.
Paul Lally:
R1 12-14-2-4
R2 5-7-10-8
R3 2-4-1-6
R4 7-6-5-4
R5 3-6-9-5
R6 2-7-8-6
R7 5-4-8-2
R8 5-12-3-6
R9 2-6-8-10
R10 7-3-9-10
Best Bet R9 N2 Dragon’s Luck
Longshot R1 N12 Copartner Pudong
Play Race8 QQP 3-5-12
Tom Wood:
R1: 2-4-10-7
R2: 5-8-4-1
R3: 2-1-4-6
R4: 7-5-6-14
R5: 6-9-8-2
R6: 2-8-7-5
R7: 5-4-6-8
The 3-year-old filly Tahiyra added a third Group 1 to her resume with a one-length victory in the Coronation Stakes on Friday at Royal Ascot.
While Tahiyra came through as the favorite, odds-on Little Big Bear was defeated by Shaquille in the day’s other Group 1, the Commonwealth Stakes, a 3-year-old straight-course sprint.
Currently, the older horse division in Japan consists of Equinox and the others.
Equinox, the 2022 Japanese Horse of the Year, won his only start this year in the Group 1 Sheema Classic in Dubai in March and will be an odds-on favorite in Sunday’s Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Hanshin Racecourse in Japan.
The winner receives a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.
A troubled trip kept Silverdale Chief from scoring his first win in Australia in a one-mile handicap at Wagga Wagga Racecourse on June 13.
Bettors are expecting the recent New Zealand import to end a six-race losing streak in Australia in a one-mile handicap at Narrandera Racecourse on Saturday evening.
At Wagga Wagga, Silverdale Chief, a 5-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding, raced in traffic on the turn and flew through the stretch to miss catching race winner Thistledo by a nose.
Last year’s race
Winner: Missed The Cut
Jockey: James McDonald
Trainer: George Boughey
Owner: Mr Ed Babington
Age: 3
Weight: 9st 3lbs
Starting Price: 5/2
Season Form Figures: 411
Previous Best: 1st - Class 5 Novice, Salisbury (May 2022)
By Paul Jones
Last year’s race
Winner: Broome
Jockey: Ryan L Moore
Trainer: Aidan P O'Brien
Owner: M Matsushima/Mrs. Magnier/Mrs. Tabor/Mrs. Smith
Age: 6
Weight: 9st 3lbs
Starting Price: 6/1
Season Form Figures: 5
Previous Best: 4th – Derby (Group 1), Epsom (June 2019)
By Paul Jones
