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posted on 5 October, 2020

Deep Impact filly claims Group One Sprinters Stakes

Race-favorite Gran Alegria captured the Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse on Sunday as Grade 1 action resumed in Japan following the summer break.

Steered by the country's leading jockey Christophe Lemaire, Gran Alegria cut through the pack from the rear and dashed by in the final stretch to cross the line in front in 1 minute and 8.3 seconds.

The 4-year-old filly by Deep Impact claimed her third G1 victory and improved to six wins in nine starts.

Lemaire and trainer Kazuo Fujisawa both won the race for the second year in a row following Tower of London's victory in 2019. Lemaire claimed his second Sprinters Stakes crown and Fujisawa collected his third.

"I can't believe how strong she is," Lemaire said of Gran Alegria. "She was a little slow to get into the rhythm and we were much further back than expected. But we did not panic if not a little worried that we may not be in time as the pace was fast."

"In a normal situation we may not have made it," Lemaire said. "But she certainly showed what she is made of and she just carried on while some of the frontrunners started to weaken."

The Sprinters Stakes was only her second try at a distance as short as the six furlongs, but, coming in, Fujisawa said he was confident in the still-developing 4-year-old filly.

"I'm pleased with the way she's been moving, and she's showing what speed she has," Fujisawa said after the barrier draw. "She had experience over the trip at Chukyo, where she finished strongly on the outside and could take on the quick horses in that race."

As a 2-year-old, Gran Alegria won her first two starts, then finished third in the Asahi Hai Futurity (G1) at Hanshin. She made only three starts in 2019, winning the Oka Sho Japanese One Thousand Guineas (G1) and the Hanshin Cup (G2) and finishing fifth in the NHK Mile Cup (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse.

After her runner-up showing in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen, she won the Yasuda Kinen (G1) at one mile back at Tokyo in June, her most recent start.

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St James Timeform

Says of King of Comedy :

His performance was so blatantly eye-catching that Timeform labelled King of Comedy the best rated 3yo in Europe. The sectional breakdown of the race showed that King Of Comedy finished fastest of all. He also covered at least 3 metres more than Circus Maximus and Too Darn Hot.

RaceNet - www.racenet.com.au/profiles/horse/press-statement

Says of Press Statement :

Given that it has won at Group One level and has amassed $1,832,275 in career earnings, Press Statement is regarded as an elite class of racehorse.

Kerrin Mcevoy - Jockey

Says of Sweynesse :

"He’s been pleasing us at home but we were worried about the ground and also he was meeting a good field first-up, I had to ride him a bit steady from the gate but he was electric when I asked him to go."
"He’s a nice, big colt with a lovely relaxed attitude and a very good turn of foot."

Henry Plumptre - Managing Director of Darley Australia.

Says of Sweynesse :

"These three colts are the best colts this year and there is probably a half-length
between them. It is fantastic."

Michael Cox - Former South China Morning Post and now The Age racing writer saw Staphanos in the flesh on the track and in his impressive morning workouts

Says of Staphanos :

"Staphanos is a horse of substance, mixing toughness and a no-nonsense temperament in a career in which he raced and beat some of the best Japan had to offer. What a coup by Luigi Muollo and Novara Park to secure this stallion and what an incredible opportunity for New Zealand breeders to send mares to such a highly credentialed son of Deep Impact. He has the looks, pedigree and racetrack performances to be a hit at stud. He could be a real game changer and just the type of stallion New Zealand needs."

Hideaki Fujiwara - Champion Trainer Japan

Says of Staphanos :

“Staphanos had outstanding ability showing speed and stamina. He was mentally and physically tough. I expect his progeny to be the same!”