Gold Ship makes history as first two-time winner of Takarazuka Kinen
Gold Ship makes history as first two-time winner of
Takarazuka Kinen
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Mercurial Japanese champion Gold Ship was in the mood to defend his title in Sunday's Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin. By powering to a three-length victory over longshot Curren Mirotic, the gray became the first two-time winner in the race's 55-year history. Gold Ship was at the same time rewarding his loyal fan base, who have stuck with him despite his idiosyncratic behavior. The top vote-getter in the fan ballot that helps to determine the composition of the field, he was also sent off as the favorite over a deep cast that included two-time Japan Cup star Gentildonna. Since his emphatic success in this race a year ago, Gold Ship has dropped four of five starts, often for reasons of temperament. But on Sunday, it was clear early on that he was in the right frame of mind to deliver for new rider Norihiro Yokoyama. Although off a beat slow, Gold Ship was soon into the bit and moved up within hailing distance of the pace, just in front of Gentildonna, and their respective positions already told the tale. As Gentildonna came under a ride cornering for home, failed to respond, and retreated through the field, Gold Ship was gathering steam down the center of the course. The Naosuke Sugai charge stormed clear and finished about 1 3/8 miles in 2:13.9 on a turf course that had absorbed recent rain, but was listed as firm.
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"The horse ran a good race to claim the victory," Yokoyama said. "He didn't
break well as expected, but I was able to guide him to good position thanks to
the wide draw. The track condition was a little soft (because of the rain), so I
wasn't sure if he would respond, but he didn't seem to care at all. He's a
clever horse and whether he performs well or not depends on his mood. So I'm
relieved that he lived up to the expectations of many fans."
Curren Mirotic, who had stalked pacesetter Verxina and Fame Game early, was
best of the rest. Verxina boxed on gamely for third, followed by Hit the Target,
Denim and Ruby, Fame Game, Win Variation, Hokko Brave, Gentildonna, Tosen
Jordan, Meisho Mambo and Verde Green.
Gold Ship reigned as Japan's champion three-year-old colt after top-level
victories in the 2012 Satsuki Sho (Japanese Two Thousand Guineas), Kikuka Sho
(Japanese St Leger) and Arima Kinen. He added the Hanshin Daishoten and
Takarazuka Kinen to his resume during his spring campaign in 2013, but lost his
way last fall. Fifth in the Kyoto Daishoten, Gold Ship was an unengaged 15th in
the Japan Cup and a distant third when trying to repeat in the Arima Kinen.
While he kicked off 2014 with another score in the Hanshin Daishoten, he was
back to his moody ways when seventh in the Tenno Sho Spring last time May 4. His
scorecard now stands at 19-11-2-1, and he has
bankrolled more than ¥1.1 billion.
Bred and raced by Eiichi Kobayashi, the five-year-old is bred on the same
potent cross as former Japanese Horse of the Year and Triple Crown champion
Orfevre: he is by Stay Gold and out of a Mejiro McQueen mare. Gold Ship's dam is
the stakes-placed Point Flag.
The Takarazuka Kinen is a "Win and You're In" event, guaranteeing the winner
a spot in the Breeders' Cup Turf, should connections be interested in making the
trip to Santa Anita.
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