Often a very good pointer to future Group 1 success, the first of the two-year-old features, with the boys turn in the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes next week and the Hopeful Stakes at Nakayama in a few weeks' time.
The best horse to win the race was star mare Vodka back in 2006, who posted a rating of 108 with Timeform before going on to win The Tokyo Yushun (Derby), Yasuda Kinen x2, Tenno Sho, Victoria Mile, Yasuda Kinen, and Japan Cup.
Recently the race has taken even more winning, with the five year average sitting at 111.4, the best of those being five-length winner Resistencia in 2019 at 115 from Danon Fantasy (112) and Japanese darling Sodashi (111).
In those last five years, two races have dominated as lead ups, and the last five winners have won their start prior in either the Group 3 Artemis Stakes (1600m) at Tokyo or the Group 3 Kyoto Fantasy Stakes (1400m).
All five winners had run above 100 the start prior with an average of 104, meaning they (on average) improved a tick over 7 pounds to win their Group 1.
Interestingly, this race favours fillies who have had a start at 1600m+. 25 of the last 30 placegetters fit that bill.
With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the key chances.
Ravel has only had two starts but has shown plenty of talent. A daughter of the great Kitasan Black, she was a smart newcomer winner on debut at Kokura before returning to win the Artemis last start. Her rating of 102 is down on recent winners of the race but she's got huge upside at just her third start.
She started $7.90 there and showed a huge turn of foot to loom up to the leader, with the $1.40 favourite Liberty Island having to wait and come off her back, running on strongly once she balanced up to be beaten just 0.3L in second.
There's very little between them and off their debut runs, where Ravel actually rated 2 pounds higher than Liberty Island, the SP was probably wrong there, although Liberty Island could probably argue she should've won with a bit of clear running earlier.
They look the very obvious two through the Artemis, but the Fantasy Stakes looks very interesting.
Rivara was sent around at 70-1 there off the back of a solid, if somewhat unconvincing maiden win over 1200m at Niigata but managed to lead all of the way over the 1400m in a messy race behind, running to 106 with Timeform.
The race actually rated higher than the Artemis which I found surprising given the hype of the quinella there which may make for some interesting betting propositions.
Bouton D'Or was the eye-catcher there. She got well back in the field but really charged to the line late, having won the Group 3 Hakodate Nisai Stakes (1200m) prior. Her breeding doesn't scream further but off that run I'd be surprised if she doesn't get a mile.
Having already won to 105 and not having everything go right last start I think she can be backed at 20-1.
The other one in that race that will go around at huge odds but was a very hidden run is Sarasa How Pretty. She started $27 there and had no luck whatsoever, held up most of the straight then getting badly checked at the 200m before finishing off strongly for fifth.
She hasn't yet cracked the 100 mark so has to take a big new leap but her 3-length win prior at Nakayama was good and I think she's over the odds at 80-1, and she'll probably start triple figures late in betting.
There are a few left field runners that look to have strong chances.
Moryana rated to 107 at just her second start, winning over 1800m in the Cosmos Sho at Sapporo last time out, up from 86 on debut. She's got early speed and can sustain a gallop which will hold her in good stead. She's only had two starts and looks fairly untapped with plenty of tactical speed.
Dura similarly won at Sapporo last time out and ran to the best last start rating in the race of 108. She ran an identical time to Moryana on different days but does race below 1800m for the first time now. She has to be considered as a strong winning chance despite not coming through tradtional lead ups.
Umbrail comes through the Momiji Stakes at Hanshin over 1400m, running to 104 there. Her debut effort of 102 was very smart at Tokyo and the daughter of Lord Kanaloa should be okay at a mile.
This is a fascinating race and I think it runs a lot deeper than the two favoured runners in Ravel and Liberty Island, although I would lean to Liberty Island of the two.
I think Bouton D'or was the run of the race in the Fantasy Stakes which is typically a strong lead up despite the market basically abandoning it this year. She's worth something at 20-1, as is Sarasa How Pretty at 80-1. She had no luck whatsoever there but warmed to the task late when clear and can be a blowout.
Dura and Moryana around the 7-1 mark are both winning chances. Their form ties together quite easily through Doe Eyes. Dura ran fourth to her on debut before beating her last start at $4.20 while Moryana started $2.30 against her and beat her well last start. Of the two, I have a slight leaning to Moryana and will be saving on her.
There could be some value in the exotics with Bouton D'or and Sarasa How Pretty both capable of getting into the finish at big prices.
HANSHIN JUVENILE FILLIES
Tip: Bouton D'or e/w @ $21
Value: Sarasa How Pretty e/w @ $81
Saver: Moryana @ $8
