Second favorite Lucky Lilac conquered the field of 18 starlets in their first competition at the highest level and stretched her winning streak to three. After promptly breaking her maiden in her debut start, the chestnut filly claimed her first graded win in the Artemis Stakes (G3, 1,600m) on October 28 that followed. This marks trainer Mikio Matsunaga’s second flat JRA-G1 title since his Shuka Sho victory with Red Desire in 2009 while jockey Syu Ishibashi also celebrates his second JRA-G1 win since claiming the 2012 Tenno Sho (Spring) with Beat Black. As the first crop of Orfevre, who concluded his racing career at the end of the 2013 season, Lucky Lilac has given the new stallion his first G1 victory as a sire.
The gates sprung open with Las Emociones taking the lead while Cordierite chased the pace from the outside in second. After briefly struggling to find room in the early going, Lucky Lilac was reserved about a half-length in front and on the outside of Mau Lea in mid-field, and was edged to a wider position making the final turns chasing Lily Noble on her heels into the stretch. With a clear path in front of her, the chestnut filly ran powerfully down the lane, finally catching the eventual runner-up 100 meters out and cleared the wire a 3/4-length winner as a result of a time-tied fastest last-three-furlong drive.
“She was a bit keen in her last start but was very relaxed today. We were in a good striking position at the top of the stretch which gave me all the confidence I needed. Her physical ability is extremely high and she is very intelligent too. Although she has room to improve, I just hope she can start the next season in good form,” commented Syu Ishibashi.
Third pick Lily Noble settled off the pace in a mid-field position around sixth to seventh and made a wide bid at the last corner for her attack. Easily taking over the front from the tiring leaders before the furlong pole, the Rulership filly showed a tenacious late drive but succumbed to the tremendous speed of Lucky Lilac in the last half furlong while holding off a fast-closing Mau Lea for second.
Mau Lea, one of the four Deep Impact fillies in the field, was unhurried in mid-division racing on the rails beside Lucky Lilac through the backstretch. Making headway rounding the turns, the fourth pick stalked the eventual winner in early stretch and powered home but failed to emerge as a serious threat, finishing a half-length from runner-up Lily Noble in third.
Race favorite Rock This Town rushed to third after breaking from the widest stall and was keen to go in the early stages but showed little at the straight, weakening in the last furlong to finish ninth.
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