Toho Jackal wins Kikuka Sho in course record time
Sunday 26 October 2014 13:11, UK
Toho Jackal has won the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) in a course record time at Kyoto Racecourse.
The third favourite earned his place in the line-up when a close third in the Kobe Shimbun Hai (G2, 2,400m) behind Derby winner One And Only and Sounds of Earth.
The Spcial Week colt comprehensively reversed that form as he smashing the course record by 1.7 seconds to register his first Group One victory only 149 days after making his debut.
It was also a first top level success for his trainer Kiyoshi Tani 20 years after opening his yard.
After breaking smoothly from stall two, Toho Jackal raced on the inside towards the front of the field in fifth, and waited patiently until the last turn, where he was pulled out wide to make his challenge.
Drawing level with the leader at the top of the straight, the chestnut colt slipped out with Sounds of Earth on the inside and duelled with the dark bay colt until the 200-metre line, from where he found another gear to accelerate and seal the race.
“I tried to relax him going into the track but the colt controlled himself well. I wanted to make use of the ideal draw we had. He responded willingly to my urging and was able to exert his late spurt after waiting within the pack until the right moment,” commented jockey Manabu Sakai.
Sounds of Earth finished strongly - running the last three furlongs the fastest of the field - but was unable to keep up with the winner’s final spurt and finished 1/2 length behind in second.
Favourite One And Only held every chance but finished a disappointing ninth.
