A week after Mosheen’s son Danon Ayres Rock captured the Listed Principal Stakes at Tokyo Racetrack, another two popular Australian-bred mares, were featured among the winners in Japan.
The 3-year-old Daiwa Major colt Trident Spear, the first foal of the 2018 Group 1 MRC One Thousand Guineas and Group II VRC Edward Manifold Stakes heroine Amphitrite could have hardly been more impressive in his seasonal debut in a 2000m maiden at Tokyo.
Sporting the colours of Carrot Fam, Trident Spear was back in the second half of the field in the early stages before moving to a threatening fifth rounding the home turn. A couple of backhanders from Christophe Lemaire and Trident Spear lengthened impressively to defeat the favourite Working Asset (Just Away) by one and three-quarter lengths.
It was the second start for the Daiwa Major colt, who was fourth in a 2-year-old Newcomers race over 1800m on the same track last October.
Bred by Goldin Farm, Amphitrite was a $50,000 purchase for Flying Start Syndications at the Adelaide Magic Millions. The daughter of Sebring won five of her 17 starts and banked $750,605. She was sold to Japan in a deal brokered by William Johnson Bloodstock.
Amphitrite has a 2-year-old filly by Satono Diamond, a yearling filly by Kizuna, and was covered by Lord Kanaloa.
Darby Racing’s Group 1 ATC Golden Slipper Stakes and Group 1 MVRC AJ Moir Stakes Stakes winner She Will Reign made it two winners from as many foals when the Manabu Ikezoe-trained 3-year-old filly Diamond Rain made all the running in a 2000m maiden at Kyoto.
Unraced at two, the daughter of Satono Diamond was making her fourth start of the year.
Ridden by Kenichi Ikezoe for Sunday Racing, Diamond Rain repelled all challengers to open her winning account by one and a quarter lengths.
She Will Reign’s first foal, Danon Tornado (Heart’s Cry), made a winning debut at Niigata at two and was runner-up in a Group II at Kyoto last season at three, but has disappointed in two starts this campaign.
A $20,000 yearling that won over $3.2 million in 12 starts for Gary Portelli, She Will Reign has a 2-year-old colt by Real Steel, a yearling filly by Saturnalia, and was covered by Kizuna.
