Kohei Matsuyama crossed the line with his right index finger jabbed skyward, and the gesture needed no translation. One down. Two to go.
Star Anise, the reigning champion two-year-old filly, confirmed herself the one they all have to beat in Japan’s fillies’ Triple Tiara on Sunday, powering clear of her rivals in the straight at Hanshin to win the Oka Sho and leave her jockey pointing the way forward before he had even pulled up.
Behind that raised finger sat a gamble that had just come off. Trainer Tomokazu Takano opted to send Star Anise straight to the G1 Oka Sho after nearly four months on the sidelines, rather than giving last year’s G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies winner a trial run.
“Even as time passed, there were aspects where I didn’t feel she had fully recovered,” Takano said. Instead of using a prep race to bring her on, he decided it would be better to target the big one with the filly fresh and full of energy.
That judgement proved spot on at Hanshin on Sunday.
Star Anise produced a commanding performance to win the Oka Sho by 2 1/2 lengths from Garavogue, with the champion two-year-old filly stamping her class on the field.
For Matsuyama, it was a first Oka Sho success since guiding the then-unbeaten Daring Tact to victory six years ago. For Takano, it was a first win in one of Japan’s eight traditional Classics and championship races.
It was not entirely straightforward, however.
Matsuyama found himself in trouble on the backstretch when Star Anise was squeezed by horses to the outside.
“There was a difficult moment when she was being crowded from the outside, but she responds very well to the rider,” Matsuyama said. “I think the patience she showed there led to that finishing kick.”
Takano was feeling the tension as he watched it unfold.
“On the back straight, there was a moment when he had to steady her a little, and I thought, ‘Whoa,'” he said.
Even so, the trainer was struck by how quickly Star Anise recovered her rhythm.
“Even as her trainer, I thought, ‘She’s really strong,'” he said.
By the time the field reached the fourth turn, Matsuyama already felt the race was in safe keeping.
“I was thinking, ‘We’re going to be all right,'” he said.
Star Anise was still travelling strongly as the field turned for home, and Matsuyama was able to wait before asking for her full effort.
“Once she put the race away, she really powered clear,” he said.
Matsuyama admitted he had felt the weight of expectation before the race as the regular rider of the juvenile champion.
“I thought it was a wide-open race, but at the same time she was the champion at two, and I felt it was one we really couldn’t afford to lose,” he said. “I went into it feeling that we had to win.”
What helped ease that pressure was the filly’s composure.
“It was great that she stayed settled all the way through, from the warm-up to the chute and into the gate,” he said. “The stable staff did a wonderful job getting her ready.”
For Takano, a first major title carried particular meaning.
“I started out as a racing fan, so these races have always meant a great deal to me,” he said. “Part of me wondered whether the day would ever come when someone like me could win a Classic.”
Even so, Takano said he did not burden Matsuyama with detailed instructions.
“I’ve left it to him ever since her debut,” he said. “I believe the race itself should be left to the licensed professional in the saddle.”
Takano also noted how much Star Anise had strengthened physically since her juvenile season.
“The muscle definition in her back and hindquarters has really come out,” he said. “She’s the type that never carries much fat – you can always see her ribs – but she has developed muscle in all the right places. I get the feeling she’ll continue to improve.”
As for what comes next, Takano stopped short of committing to a target.
“At this point, nothing has been decided about her next race,” he said. “I want to speak with the owner and take the jockey’s feedback into account before we make a decision.”
Matsuyama was similarly measured when asked about the step up in trip for the Oaks.
“She’s very composed and mentally strong, so I don’t think that side will be a problem,” he said, while adding that other factors, including her pedigree, would also have to be considered.
There was no hesitation, though, when it came to his belief in the filly’s ability.
“It’s her power to pull away even after nearly losing her rhythm, combined with the mental strength to fully utilise that ability. I believe it comes down to those two points.”
On the evidence of Sunday, she will need both again. The Yushun Himba is four weeks away, and Matsuyama’s finger is already in the air.
“I held up my finger to signify that this is the first leg of the Triple Crown,” Matsuyama said. “She is a truly strong horse, and I’m looking forward to what’s next.” ∎
