Formally bred Geraldina entered the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1T) on her own on 13 November at Hanshin Racecourse, taking advantage of the turf to win the first of the highest levels and showing the promise to live in line with the expectations of his pedigree.
Favorites, including international raider Magic Dress found that the cutscene would be too much to handle as long shots Win Marilyn and Lilac finished in a second die temperature.
【Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1), 2200m, Hanshin, JRA】
Geraldina has won the Queen Elizabeth II Cup!#JRA #race #QueenElizabethIICup #Geraldina pic.twitter.com/u7atPEPoo7
– HorseRacingInJapan (@HorseRacing_JPN) November 13, 2022
Daring Tact the Japanese who won the Triple Crown two years ago, became the favorite in the 2,200 meter event (about 1 5/8 miles) but finished sixth. Namur fifth place and winner Shuka Sho (G1T) Beautiful roses It’s been a pretty awesome 14th. Magical Lagoon, Juddmonte Irish Oaks (G1T) winner, played lackluster all the way to the finish line.
Geraldina, by Maurice get out Deep impact mare Gentildonna , won in 2: 13.0 with Cristian Demuro in the iron. That time was 2.9 seconds behind the pitch record, reflecting the condition of the pitch.
That didn’t seem to matter to the winner, who had fallen behind most of her 17 opponents until the court went into the final sweep. Demuro found a good lane on the field, and Geraldina was ready to run after opponents to open up a daytime advantage, then hold on to win by 1 3/4 length.
QE II was her first match on grass that was rated less than good.
“The filth moved really well in the last corner, darting out and swinging,” Demuro said. “Last time she won, it was a good race, so I’m pretty confident with her.
“Gentildonna is a kind person,” Demuro said in a masterpiece of parlance, “and I think Geraldina can be like a dam to her.”
That would be a tall order, as Gentildonna’s seven No. 1 wins include Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks-G1T), Dubai Sheema Classic presented by Longines (G1T) and two Japan Cup (G1T) crowns. She finished second in three more level 1 races and fourth in her third attempt in the Japan Cup.
Geraldina is the top performer of her four named ponies.
Geraldina’s male has racked up six 1st place wins, including the Longines Hong Kong Mile (G1T) and the Longines Hong Kong Cup (G1T), the latter at 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 mile), as well as three event at the highest level at home.
Shane Foley, who rode the Magical Lagoon for coach Jessica Harrington, said he didn’t want to load and couldn’t handle going through despite having enjoyed the front position for most of the race.
“We were able to race in the vantage point, but she liked fast ground and the rain, unfortunately, robbed her of her chances,” Foley said. “I urged her to go from the third corner but she didn’t respond.
“I don’t know why she doesn’t want to enter the gate, because she’s usually very nice.”
Geraldina, bred by Northern Racing and running in the colors of Sunday Racing Co., Ltd., is coached by Takashi Saito. She has started her 16th and, despite some flash of talent, shows little sign of living up to the evidence of her dam or males. Four of her previous five wins were in class order, and it wasn’t until her 15th start that she won the categorical bet — Sankei Sho All Comers (G2T) at School race Nakayama on September 25. Her only previous start in a 1st grade event resulted in seventh place in Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1T) almost two years ago.
Saito said before QE II, he saw signs that the lights might have been turned on because of his crime.
“I’m pleased with how things went in her last race, including getting the spot early,” the coach said. “She’s a lot more developed now and she’s a lot better at catching and finding a good rhythm in her races.”
However, she is still far from catching up to Gentildonna.
