The Fast Lane: Queens of Kyoto
- Archie Brookes
- Oct 16
- 6 min read
Sunday’s feature is the 30th Shuka Sho (2000m, G1) at Kyoto - final jewel of the Japanese Fillies’ Triple Crown. It’s the end-of-season exam for three-year-old fillies, run on the fast, unforgiving inner turf where tactics matter and mistakes are punished.
The Shuka Sho was inaugurated in 1996 as the autumn G1 exclusively for 3-year-old fillies, replacing the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in that role once it opened to older mares. Elevated to international G1 status in 2009, it’s the capstone to the fillies’ classic series after the Oka Sho (1000 Guineas) and Yushun Himba (Oaks). Sweep all three and a ¥100 million bonus awaits - an emphatic underline in Japan’s racing calendar.
Background & Roll of Honour
The Shuka Sho has served as both coronation and catalyst, producing champions who shaped the modern history of Japanese racing:
Still in Love (2003): The first filly to achieve the modern Triple Crown, cementing the race’s legacy.
Apapane (2010): Completed the Triple Crown and later won the Victoria Mile, demonstrating durability and adaptability.
Gentildonna (2012): Swept the classics, defeated older horses in back-to-back Japan Cups, and earned multiple Horse of the Year titles.
Almond Eye (2018): Captured the Triple Crown in record time (1:58.5) and ascended to global superstardom with victories in the Japan Cup and Dubai Turf.
Chrono Genesis (2019): Began her G1 career here and later dominated mixed-company Grand Prix races.
Daring Tact (2020): Became the first undefeated Triple Crown filly, completing a flawless five-for-five campaign.
Liberty Island (2023): The most recent Triple Crown filly, redefining dominance within her cohort.
This lineage demonstrates the Shuka Sho's dual role: both culmination and springboard. Its winners often transcend their age group to become standard-bearers for Japanese racing on the international stage.
Kyoto Inner 2000m: Tactical and Physiological Demands
Kyoto’s inner 2000-metre configuration is among the most technical in Japan. The race begins on the home straight, with a 309-metre run-up before the first right-hand turn. The backstretch rises 3.1 metres before sloping downhill into the final bend, leading to a mere 328-metre straight. Such geometry compresses the tactical window - leaders must regulate their cruising speed carefully, and closers must initiate their runs earlier than at most venues.
Historical data indicate that this layout rewards fillies with tactical flexibility - those capable of maintaining a forward or stalking position while conserving energy for a brief but decisive acceleration. Deep closers can prevail only when pace and luck align perfectly. Gates five through seven, corresponding to the inner-middle portion of the draw, have historically yielded the best results, while wide draws demand exceptional athleticism and racecraft.
Firm ground is anticipated this year, sustaining the track’s reputation for fairness and speed. Unless unexpected rain intervenes, times are likely to approach record territory.
Runner-by-runner
In Vogue | Taisei Danno | Yuichi Fukunaga | 3f by Lord Kanaloa × Trend Hunter
Late-developing and on a three-race streak, versatile enough to land a stalking pocket. First G1 is a class test, but 2000m/inner map suits.
Maps handy/inside - live for a sneaky placing with a clean trip.
Vip Daisy | Atsuya Nishimura | Takeshi Matsushita | 3f by Satono Diamond × Rose Beryl
Hanshin JF runner-up; small but nimble. Rose S run was better than it looks from a wide trip. Stamina a mild question at 2000m.
Maps midfield/rails - ground-saving ride brings her right into the finish.
Kelly Fled Ask | Koji Nishizuka | Hideaki Fujiwara | 3f by Duramente × Deep in Ask
Shion Stakes (G2) winner making her own pace; can also rate. Tough, improving profile. Big stage for her young rider.
Maps lead/press - hard to reel in if allowed cheap fractions.
Rouge Solitaire | Yuichi Kitamura | Hideaki Fujiwara | 3f by Lord Kanaloa × Red Olga
Sweetpea Stakes winner; fitter after Rose Stakes. Agile and versatile at 2000m.
Maps on-pace/mid - “improver” angle; can juggle tactics to suit.
Embroidery | Christophe Lemaire | Kazutomo Mori | 3f by Admire Mars × Rottenmeier
Oka Sho heroine with a lethal turn of foot; 2400m stretched her in the Oaks. Freshened and refocused for 2000m.
Maps midfield - major late threat if tempo is honest and gaps appear.
Paradis Reine | Yuji Tannai | Teruhiko Chida | 3f by Kizuna × Paradis Garden
Under-the-radar stamina filly; 4th in the Oaks, Rose Stakes ruined at the start. Long, sustained finish when in rhythm.
Maps midfield - sleeper who outruns odds if she jumps cleanly.
Kurino Mei | Manabu Sakai | Naosuke Sugai | 3f by Orfevre × Kurino Elizabeth
Tulip Sho winner gone off the path (dirt detour), now back on turf. Has early speed and class if she rebounds.
Maps forward - wild card; upside if the switch rekindles her spark.
Teresa | Kohei Matsuyama | Haruki Sugiyama | 3f by Admire Mars × Tamniah
Rose Stakes runner-up; pace-sensible miler stretching to 2000m. Fitness trending up.
Maps lead/press - key speed influence; stays if allowed to cruise.
Erika Express | Yutaka Take | Haruki Sugiyama | 3f by Epiphaneia × Enticed
Fairy Stakes winner with tactical pop; Take likely positive early. First try at 2000m but relaxes better now.
Maps co-leader/press - danger if she settles and measures it.
Jocelyn | Mirai Iwata | Yuichi Shikato | 3f by Epiphaneia × Katie’s Heart
Reliable closer; Shion Stakes second stamps G1 relevance. Needs to relax and see air late.
Maps midfield - strong finisher for trifectas if tempo fair.
Brown Ratchet | Kenichi Ikezoe | Takahisa Tezuka | 3f by Kizuna × Forever Darling
Fresh since the Oaks (minor hoof issue). Honest, prefers to sustain rather than quicken.
Maps forward - could cling for a share if the dash is muted.
Lesedrama | Yusuke Fujioka | Yasuyuki Tsujino | 3f by Kizuna × Sheer Drama
Flower Cup winner with a long run when she’s on song; patchy prep but fitter now.
Maps stalk/quiet - live late if a stronger pace materialises.
Run for Vow | Ryoya Kozaki | Yuichi Fukunaga | 3f by Lord Kanaloa × Kineo Dancer
High-class juvenile form; not hit those levels yet this year.
Maps midfield/cover - talent there; needs to rediscover her kick at 2000m.
Danon Fair Lady | Ryusei Sakai | Shinsuke Hashiguchi | 3f by Kizuna × Mecha Corta
Rock-solid profile and peaking; Shion Stakes third was full of merit. Flat, fast inner looks ideal.
Maps on-pace/mid - all-purpose contender for the frame.
Sena Style | Yasunari Iwata | Shogo Yasuda | 3f by Sottsass × Nuovo Record
Rose Stakes third; steep improvement curve and classy family. First 2000m but pedigree says yes.
Maps press/handy - dark-horse with upside if she relaxes.
Voulezvous | Yuji Hishida | Koshiro Take | 3f by Satono Crown × Argyros
Elfin Stakes winner with talent; needs to settle to finish. Work reports positive.
Maps midfield - place chance if rhythm and patience hold.
Kamunyak | Yuga Kawada | Yasuo Tomomichi | 3f by Black Tide × Dance Amiga
Oaks winner and Rose Stakes victor - gunning for the Triple Crown capstone. Sustained run, class, and the right rider.
Maps midfield/near-handy - the one they all have to beat.
Ma Puce | Takeshi Yokoyama | Yusuke Wada | 3f by Mind Your Biscuits x Films Francais Last start G3 Chukyo Kinen winner; ran fourth in the Oka Sho before a seventh place finish in the G1 NHK Mile Cup. Maps midfield/handy - talented and improving.
Verdict
Kamunyak
This Black Tide filly has really flourished lately. She won her Oaks prep in the G2 Sho Flora Stakes before getting up in the big one itself. Her comeback run over 1800m in the Sho Rose Stakes was impressive, winning by 1 1/2 lengths under Yuga Kawada. She took a while to get rolling, but once she hits top gear and used her big, raking stride, the others had it all to do to catch her. She has an outstanding chance on Sunday. Embroidery is interesting back from a break after her no-show in the Oaks, but the trip caught her out that day and dropping back to 2000m will really suit her.
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