Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Group 1)

THE third favourite Stunning Rose claimed her first win since 2022 and second Group 1 victory in this year’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup over 11 furlongs in an impressive 2m11.1secs the fastest time in the 23-year-old race record.

Among her wins as a three-year-old, was the Group 1 Shuka Sho, as well as a runner-up effort in the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks).

The five-year-old mare gave her trainer Tomokazu Takano his eighth JRA-Group 1 title, when winning under Cristian Demuro, who is riding under a short-term license.

A bit keen in the backstretch, Stunning Rose chased the front runners in fourth before moving to take over the lead while turning the last bend. Into the straight, the King Kamehameha mare romped to the wire unchallenged for an impressive two-length victory.

“I’m very happy to have won a Group 1 race, which I wanted to achieve here in Japan, especially after finishing second a few times. Today after the start, I chose to go behind the leader and the mare just showed a special turn of foot,” Christian Demuro said in a post-race interview.

Stunning Rose is a daughter of King Kamehameha, owned by Sunday Racing Co Ltd.

Ravel circled wide into the stretch and, although no match for the eventual winner, dug in well to overhaul Wholeness 100m out to be beaten two lengths in second in the 17-horse field.

Heavy favourite and the only three-year-old runner, Regaleira broke well and settled in mid-pack, but found herself in tight quarters in early stretch. The Hopeful Stakes winner bumped rivals trying to squeeze through aggressively and launched her bid late, finishing fifth.

France

HENRY de Bromhead has enjoyed great success on the flat this season and picked up a nice price in Toulouse on Monday, with the three-year-old filly Higher Leaves winning the Group 3 Prix Fille de l’Air and a prize of €40,000.

The Golden Horne filly was also a listed winner at ParisLongchamp in September for owner James Wigan.

Quickly into stride in the mile and two and a half furlong contest, she made all under Alexis Pouchin and, despite hanging markedly left over a furlong out, once straightened up she came clear inside the final furlong to win comfortably by over six lengths from outsider Euboa. The filly was bred by Derek Iceton.