By Daithi Harvey
When the seven-time Japanese Grade 1 winner Vodka (Jpn) (Tanino Gimlet {Jpn}) was mated with Frankel (GB) in 2014, the resultant offspring was quite likely to be useful, so when that particular foal, now a 2-year-old colt named Tanino Frankel (Ire), broke his maiden at the second time of asking at Hanshin on Monday, it was merely a case of meeting expectations and hopefully a stepping stone to greater things.
Having finished a promising second on his debut at Niigata in August, the Katsuhiko Sumii trained Tanino Frankel made light work of his opposition in the 10-furlong contest on Monday, making all the running and never coming off the bridle for a facile success (video). A step up to stakes level looks a formality for the colt.
From a breeding point of view, Vodka is certainly due a stakes winner. The Yuzo Tanimizu-owned mare, who won both the G1 Japanese Derby and G1 Japan Cup as well as being voted Horse of The Year in both 2008 and 2009, has been bred exclusively to European sires. Her first three offspring are by Sea The Stars (Ire) and they include the recent winner Tanino Urban Sea (GB), a 4-year-old filly, who has logged four wins to date, including a victory at Kokura Aug. 20 (video) .
Having been barren to Frankel from a 2013 cover, Vodka then delivered Monday's winner in 2015 before a visit to Irish National Stud stallion Invincible Spirit (Ire) yielded a filly last year. She then returned to Banstead Manor's flagship sire last spring and delivered an Irish-bred full-brother to Tanino Frankel May 22.
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