NHK Mile Cup (Group 1)

JANTAR Mantar displayed a strong run to win this year’s NHK Mile Cup and took home his second Group 1 trophy.

Unbeaten in all three starts last season, which included victory in the Group 1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, the son of Palace Malice was named best two-year-old colt of 2023.

He had just come off a third in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) on April 14th.

Jantar Mantar broke sharply from a wide stall and was settled in around fifth, next to the race favourite Ascoli Piceno in the backstretch, before gradually making headway after the third corner to hit the straight in third.

The dark bay colt took over the front before the furlong pole and charged home in a comfortable two and a half-length victory.

“I had every confidence in my colt. Once we were off, I knew he was going to win, there were no doubts in my mind. He ran in good rhythm and showed his true strength. I hope I can prove he is the best miler in Japan in the future,” commented Yuga Kawada to media.

The top two-year-old filly and race favourite Ascoli Piceno raced midfield before making her bid rounding the final turns but found herself trapped behind horses.

Christophe Lemaire, on his comeback after recovering from injuries sustained in March in Dubai, and the Daiwa Major filly struggled for room and clipped heels but found her stride once on a clear path along the rails near the furlong marker and surged to take second place.

Wootton wins again

THERE was one classic trail in France last Monday and the Group 3 Prix Greffulhe over a mile, two and a half furlongs saw a surprise win in the Jerome Andreu-trained Wootton Verni.

Sunway, winner of the Group 1 Criterium International last season for David Menuisier went off a short-priced favourite but went down by a neck to Cristian Demuro on the Andreu-trained winner.

The son of Wootton Bassett had won two of his four races at two and had a win in a Chantilly all-weather conditions race in February on his CV for this season for owners Jean-Pierre-Joseph Dubois and Jean-Claude Seroul.