Sunday's G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) marks the final test in Japan's Triple Crown series. While the race lacks the presence of G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner Makahiki (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who instead embarked on an international campaign in France, it does boast a Classic winner in G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) victor Dee Majesty (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), as well as Satono Diamond (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), third in the Satsuki Sho and second by a nose in the Tokyo Yushun. That pair appear virtually inseparable on paper, with Dee Majesty back in third behind Makahiki and Satono Diamond in the Tokyo Yushun, and both colts won their prep races, Satono Diamond taking the 2400-metre G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai Sept. 25 and Dee Majesty winning the G2 St Lite Kinen over a furlong shorter a week earlier. Satono Diamond has been given the slight nod on the morning line as the even-money favourite, and his trainer Yasutoshi Ikee said, “The Kobe Shimbun Hai was his first outing in a while and he was a bit keen and also didn't show his best in the finish either. Still, he won, so that's the important thing. Even with the final drive, he wasn't out of breath and it was by no means a difficult race for him. He recovered right away and all has gone well since.”
“I think he'll show quite a bit of improvement over the last race,” Ikee added, “I'll have to say that the distance is the biggest concern. It's by no means his best distance but we'll just have to see how it goes. I really want him to win one of the Classics and, if the jockey can get him a nice trip, I'm hoping he can do it.”
Waiting in the wings to spring an upset is Air Spinel (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), fourth in both the Satsuki Sho and Tokyo Yushun and fifth in the Kobe Shimbun Hai. Mikki Rocket (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) took the unconventional route of racing over the summer and comes into this well-seasoned after finishing second in the Kobe Shimbun Hai.
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