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Heading in to the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2200m) this Sunday (10 November) at Kyoto, the spotlight is on 2023 G1 Hopeful Stakes (2000m) winner Regaleira, who is shaping as one of Japan racing’s enigmas.
Her final lap of 11s flat on the Miho woodchip course on Wednesday (6 November) suggests she has what it takes. Then again, the dazzle of her late speed can blind to the fact that it's her start that can be the problem. And that's what her crew has been working on for weeks, not gate practice, but teaching the daughter of 2019 G1 Japan Cup (2400m) champ Suave Richard to hit the ground running and they've been doing this by having her accelerate much sooner in her workouts. The work seems to be paying off. Her lap times over 1200m on Wednesday were 15.7-14.7-14.5-13.9-12.4-11.0s.
Her performances since her Hopeful Stakes win could dampen hopes for another Group 1 jewel, but Regaleira took on the colts not only in the two-year-old Hopeful Stakes, but also in this year's Classics. A sixth in the G1 Satsuki Sho (2000m), two and three quarter lengths off the winner, and a fifth in the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, 2400m), four and a half lengths off the top, were far from embarrassing.
But, around four months later, a fifth placing in the G2 Rose Stakes (2000m) raised more concern.
Christophe Lemaire, who has been paired with Regaleira in all but the Satsuki Sho - due to his Dubai accident - spoke in her defence on Wednesday.
"In the Rose Stakes, she was returning after a four-month layoff. Her weight was up 10kg (approx. 22.04lb) and I don't think she was in top shape quite yet. Her start was a bit slow, as usual and she ended up at the back. She had a good kick at the end, but it wasn't enough. She ran well, even though she finished in fifth place," he said.
"On top of that, she'd drawn the far gate, which made things more difficult. She was a bit slower away than usual and raced from the rear. She did display her usual speed in the end but we didn't make it home in time."
Compared to the spring, the Frenchman said: "She has more power. She was a bit stiff in the Derby warm-up, but her warm-up was perfect in the Rose Stakes. I don't think the Chukyo track suits her.'
"Her weak point is her start. Her first two steps are slow and that stops her from getting a good position.
"The start is crucial. I'm hoping to be able to get a position midfield. She definitely has the ability. I think she can win another Group 1."
Also receiving high marks on Wednesday after final fast work was G2 Fuchu Himba Stakes (1800m) runner-up Scintillation, who is taking on her first Group 1 and will pair with Tom Marquand.
Four-year-old Shinryokuka has shown improvement following her ninth here last year. She won the G3 Niigata Kinen (2000m) at Niigata and looked especially good over the first part of her workout, in which she clocked 1m 08.8s under trainer Masahiro Takeuchi over 1000m, with an 11.6s close.
Wholeness is yet to win a Group race but is currying favour with her record of four wins, one second and one third from six starts and won the Listed Niigata Himba Stakes over the Queen Elizabeth II Cup distance. On Wednesday, she impressed with her flashy condition as she worked over 1000m on the Ritto turf course under jockey Ryusei Sakai in 1m 13.4s, with a 12.0s final furlong.
2022 G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks, 2400m) runner-up and Shuka Sho winner Stunning Rose is also looking good but needs a hard, fast track and, as of Thursday (7 November), rain is forecast for Kyoto later in the day. If the weather can hold until the post time, Stunning Rose has a better chance. She's also looking better than she has in a while and covered 800m up the Ritto hill course on Wednesday under Cristian Demuro in 53.7s.
