In a year where Japanese fillies have enjoyed success in major Group 1s globally-think Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Deirdre (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) and Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn})-the unbeaten G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) winner Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) looks to establish herself as the next big thing to come out of the nation, and she aims to run her win streak to five in Sunday's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Kyoto. An instant success story for ownership group DMM.com in its relative infancy, Loves Only You won twice at two and took the Yushun Himba on her second start at three and first try in pattern company. She hasn't been seen since that May 19 Classic, with a hoof problem keeping her out of the G1 Shuka Sho, the final leg of the Japanese Fillies Triple Crown. That 2000 metre contest on Oct. 13 was won by the Yushun Himba third Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}), who will look to use that sharpener as an advantage to topple her old rival.
Christophe Soumillon takes the ride aboard Lucky Lilac (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), who got her Group 1 in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies S. at two but had to settle to placings behind Almond Eye in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) and Yushun Himba last year. Lucky Lilac looks for her first win since last March.
Also over from Europe and kicking off his winter stint is Oisin Murphy, who partners Uranus Charm (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}). The 4-year-old tries the top level for the first time but has been solid in defeat in pattern company her last four tries.
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