Rey de Oro Tops Stellar Field in This Year's Tenno Sho
Gr.1 Japanese Derby winner and second favorite Rey de Oro dominated this year’s Tenno Sho (Autumn) scoring his second Gr.1 win in a tough competition which included six other G1 winners.
This year, following a third in the Gr.2 Kyoto Kinen and a fourth in his overseas challenge, the Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic, the colt was refreshed after given a six-month break and claimed the All Comers in September.
The race got underway with sixth favorite Kiseki leading the field, Al Ain and Vivlos chasing the pace and Rey de Oro reserved in sixth. Shifting to an outer route after the last turn in fifth, Rey de Orounleashed a strong turn of foot, picked off all runners in front of him but one by the furlong marker and finally took over the lead from the stubborn pace setter 100 meters out to clear the wire a 1-1/4-length winner.
Fourth favorite Sungrazer cruised two lengths behind Rey de Oro in mid-field, furiously chased the eventual winner down the straight while displaying the fastest last three-furlong drive, dug in gamely and poked his nose in front of Kiseki at the wire, stealing the runner-up seat.
Race favorite Suave Richard had to travel near the rear from being bumped heavily after the break and never reached contention, finishing 10th.
Credit: Ritesh Jamkhedkar ritesh.jamkhedkar@secretariatsworld.com