Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (Group 1)

THE favourite Jantar Mantar claimed this year’s Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, giving him his third consecutive win in as many career starts.

It was a first Group 1 for his American-raced sire Palace Malice. Breaking his maiden in his debut start in October he then won a Group 2 in November.

His trainer Tomokazu Takano had won the Mile Championship with Namur a month earlier, while jockey Yuga Kawada registered his 26th JRA-Group 1 title following his Shuka Sho win with Liberty Island in October.

Jantar Mantar, owned by Shadai Race Horse Co., broke smoothly from stall three, settled in mid-division on the rails and continued to save ground rounding the bends to take command at the top of the stretch.

The dark bay found another gear in the last furlong to pull away and managed to hold off the fast-closing Ecoro Walz before the wire to prevail by a length and a quarter.

“I urged him to go a bit earlier than planned as it didn’t seem like we were going to get a clear path. He has a good character and he’s a highly capable horse, so I think he will continue to grow and I look forward to his future races,” commented jockey Yuga Kawada.

Round up

India

OISIN Murphy added another world classic to his roll of honour on Sunday when partnering Jendayi to victory in the Indian 1000 Guineas.

Murphy follows in the footsteps of Richard Hughes in riding a classic winner for local handler Pesi Shroff, who trained champion Jacqueline to win both the Indian 1000 and 2000 Guineas and the Indian Oaks and Derby.

The same connections offered Murphy his opportunities at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse and having found the scoresheet aboard Chamonix in the R J Kolah Trophy, he was on board the favourite for the feature event to register a double for Jendayi’s trainer Shroff and returning to the delight his Indian supporters on the unbeaten Gleneagles filly.

Murphy said: “Both my rides won and I really enjoyed the experience in Mumbai. The track here is excellent and the people have been incredibly hospitable and made me really welcome.”

Australia

AFTER getting off the mark in Australia last Thursday week, Dylan Browne McMonagle stayed in the winning grove last weekend with two more winners at the Caulfield Saturday meeting, followed by another at Bendigo last Sunday.

His first winner had come for Ben, Will and JD and Hayes with a canny ride on Dublin Journal and he added the next four wins for his current based stable, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace team on Saturday and Sunday. Exceed The Dream scored in maiden on Friday and two more Caulfield winners came on Saturday via Running By and Boldinho.

He went on to partner Flamin’ Romans for the team to a maiden plate win at Bendigo on Sunday.

Sharjah - UAE

ANDREW Slattery got off the mark on his winter in the UAE with a victory in a 10-furlong dirt handicap at Sharjah last Sunday. Partnering Perfect Balance for trainer Bhupat Seemar and owners Desert Rose Racing, he ran out a four and a half- length winner in the field of 13.