On a day when sharp winds blew scattered rain from the Rokko mountain range, Cristian Demuro nurtured, cajoled and then unleashed Cavallerizzo’s talent to race right to the pinnacle of Japan’s two-year-old division with a surging victory in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes.
Cavallerizzo’s first Group 1 win was also a first for his sire Saturnalia and was the result of the Tatsuya Yoshioka stable’s dedication to addressing every physical and mental challenge, using their narrow second behind Admire Quads in the G2 the Daily Hai Nisai Stakes, his previous race, as a stepping stone.
Cavallerizzo’s journey has also been a battle between his high potential and the immaturity of a young horse figuring things out. In the Daily Hai Nisai, the Silk Racing-owned colt took the lead early in the straight, was headed, then lugged into his rival and was beaten a head.
“He showed greenness in his second race that he hadn’t shown in his debut,” Yoshioka said. “It was the kind of immaturity typical of a two-year-old at this stage.”
The stable was committed to rectifying the issues and particular focus was placed on mental growth and the starting gates. There had been physical growth, too, and a four-kilogram weight gain.
“We conducted gate tests and practiced very thoroughly to ensure he could break calmly and smoothly,” Yoshioka said. “He was extremely composed in the saddling area and the paddock. His demeanour during the post-parade (warm-up) was also calm. I think it was the most settled he has ever been heading into the gates.”
When the gates opened for the mile feature, fifth pick Diamond Knot and Christophe Lemaire seized the lead to set the pace with brilliant opportunism. Although the pace of 46.3 seconds for the first half-mile was quick for yielding ground, Demuro calmly identified his target within the flow of the race.
“We broke well and I found a good position behind Yuga,” commented Demuro, detailing how he used Corteo Soleil as a vital benchmark for establishing his own horse’s rhythm.
Diamond Knot attempted to hold on in the homestretch. When Lemaire extended his lead and wished for the line to arrive, Demuro knew he had to get moving from his position back in the field but there was no panic. He opted for an inside run when the rail cut away early in the home straight and his colt quickened powerfully.
“I saw a little bit that Christophe [Lemaire] escaped and I didn’t know if I’d catch him or not. But finally when I saw I’d catch him, in my head I said ‘Yokatta’ (it was good). Finally my horse is very strong,” Demuro said.
Cavallerizzo reeled in Diamond Knot to score by three-quarters of a length and took revenge on third-placed Admire Quads for his previous race. The latter’s rider Ryusei Sakai had opted to take his horse back from a wide gate and was well off the pace down the back before racing up six-wide on the turn. Despite that exacting route, he was beaten only a length and three-quarters.
“We successfully turned the tables on Admire (Quads),” Demuro said. “Last time he beat me, but there is something to fix, and all the Northern Farm men and the trainer do a very good job.”
For Yoshioka, this victory held special meaning because Cavallerizzo’s sire, Saturnalia, was a horse he was deeply attached to, having handled him during his time as an assistant trainer to Katsuhiko Sumii.
“Saturnalia was a very easy horse to handle and required very little effort in training,” Yoshioka said. “I think they are very similar in that regard, and I also see the same speed inherited from his sire. I feel truly happy as a trainer to manage such a wonderful horse.”
Regarding the future outlook, Demuro spoke of his confidence in Cavallerizzo handling the 2000 metres of the first colt’s Classic in late April, the G1 Satsuki Sho.
“I think if he calms down in the race, (and is) more easy to ride, he can handle it. But at the moment I prefer one mile, but he can go up to 2000 metres,” he said.
The trainer also already has his sights set on next spring’s Classic campaign, stating, “While we won’t know for certain until he actually runs those distances, I feel from his training that he should be able to handle up to 2000 metres,” he said.
In the cold rain at Hanshin, what Cavallerizzo showed was a power and effectiveness on the yielding ground, and both the speed and resolve to overcome challenges quickly.
It was a significant step forward in his development and more than enough to instil confidence going into his Classic year as the generational leader. ∎
