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Daughter of Kurofune remains unbeaten and wins a second Grade 1 race
The Naosuke Sugai-trained Sodashi (3 f Kurofune - Buchiko by King Kamehameha) won the second Grade 1 victory of her career when taking out Sunday’s Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) (Gr 1, 1600m) at Hanshin and remained undefeated in five career starts.
Bred and raced by Kaneko Makoto Holdings, Sodashi won the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (Gr 1, 1600m) last December when she beat Satono Reinas (Deep Impact) by a nose and was crowned Champion 2YO Filly in Japan last season. Having the first start of her three-year-old career, the daughter of Kurofune (French Deputy) broke sharply and was settled behind the pace on the rails. She remained in third place into the home turn and powered clear with 300 metres left to run and held off the challenge of Satono Reinas to score by a neck. There was another half length back to Fine Rouge (Kizuna) in third. The winning time was 1:31.01, breaking the track record set in 2017 by Black Moon (Admire Moon).
“It’s a great feeling. There was a lot of pressure with many doubting how strong a white filly could be, so I’m thrilled we were able to prove them wrong,” said jockey Hayato Yoshida.
“I was a bit worried that the fast track would be a disadvantage, but she responded beautifully and ran well holding off the others closing in on us which I saw and made me drive her to the wire. Her potential is limitless and I look forward to her future starts.”
Sodashi is one of 35 stakes winners and six Grade 1 winners for her sire Kurofune and she is the only white horse to have won a Group / Grade 1 race. The filly is the only winner out of her dam, the four-time winner Buchiko (King Kamehameha) who is a half-sister to multiple Listed winner Yukichan (Kurofune).