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Kamunyak wins this year’s Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) at Tokyo.
Fourth favorite Kamunyak used a powerful closing kick from behind to claim this year's Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks), the second jewel of the Triple Crown, in her second graded and first G1 victory. The great grandchild of 1995 Japanese Oaks victor Dance Partner, Kamunyak broke her maiden in her debut start (Chukyo, 2,000m) last August and finished sixth in the following Artemis Stakes (Tokyo, G3, 1,600m) in October. After marking a fourth in the Elfin Stakes (Kyoto, Listed, 1,600m) in February, the Black Tide filly claimed the Flora Stakes (Tokyo, G2, 2,000m) on April 27, earning the ticket to her first classics' challenge. Trainer Yasuo Tomomichi pocketed his first Oaks and 23rd JRA-G1 title while jockey Andrasch Starke, who has been riding under a short-term license since March 9, landed his much-awaited G1 title in his 25th challenge at that level—his first in the 1997 Japan Cup (Caitano, 4th)—in JRA. The German jockey celebrates the milestone in becoming the oldest Oaks winning jockey at the age of 51 years, four months and 22 days.
Breaking from stall no.15, Kamunyak was reserved in mid-division but dropped back a bit turning the last corners before making a wide sweeping move into the straight. The daughter of Black Tide began to uncoil an impressive run from there, drawing even with Arma Veloce 200 meters out and with another gear, dug in well in the last strides to notch the title.
"The pace was not so fast in the last second half of the race and before the homestretch, I moved to the outside where she responded very well. She's an amazing horse—she just won four weeks ago. It was important that she was very relaxed today, she put in a sound performance and her ability was amazing. For me, it has been a dream to win a G1 race in Japan and I have no words, my dream came true," commented Andrasch Starke after the race.
Looking to turn the tables this time, Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) runner-up Arma Veloce broke smoothly from the innermost stall and sat on the rails in tandem with the Oka Sho winner up to the final corner. After launching her bid and splitting horses before the 200-meter pole to emerge as the leader, the 2024 Best Two-Year-Old Filly was soon caught by the eventual winner and rallied in deep stretch putting up a stubborn fight but surrendered the win at the wire by a head margin for second place once again.
Tenth choice Tagano Abby was off slow and unhurried trailing in the far rear of the 18-horse field. While most of the runners fanned out at the last turn, the chestnut filly smoothly took an inner route in the stretch, launching the fastest drive over the last three furlongs, and ran strongly to secure a respectable third by 1-1/4 lengths.
After a good break, race favorite Embroidery was eased back to settle between horses in seventh to eighth from the front but after hitting the straight in good striking position, the Oka Sho victor came out of the uphill climb with nothing left and never fired, disappointing to ninth.
Other Horses:
4th: (3) Paradis Reine—ran in 9th on rails, switched to outside and showed effort behind Arma
Veloce
5th: (5) Lynx Tip—sat in 14th early, advanced in backstretch, failed to keep up with winner on
outside
6th: (11) Will Survive—positioned in 8th, switched to inside 300m out, showed brief effort
7th: (12) Brown Ratchet—settled wide in 10th, failed to find another gear
8th: (17) Kelly Fled Ask—stalked leader, outrun in last 200m
10th: (18) Erika Express—set pace, surrendered lead at 200m pole, weakened
11th: (10) Taisei Princesse—hugged rails in 16th, angled out, passed tired rivals
12th: (4) Ai Sansan—saved ground in 11th, lacked needed kick
13th: (6) Vip Daisy—traveled wide in 15th, never fired
14th: (2) Reve de l'Opera—positioned in 13th, failed to respond
15th: (8) Saturday Sunrise—sat in 4th, gradually outrun in last 400m
16th: (7) Lesedrama—tracked leaders in 3rd, remained in contention until 300m out
17th: (14) Savonlinna—raced wide in 5th, dropped back after final corner
18th: (16) Go So Far—traveled 2nd form rear, no factor
