Lys Gracieux Bests Japan's Finest In Gr.1 Arima Kinen
Cox Plate heroine Lys Gracieux won the 64th running of the Gr.1 Arima Kinen put any doubt about her stamina to bed when she defeated Japan's best including Almond Eye the best in Japan to the sword before over 90,000 fans.
Courtesy of an inspired, ground-saving ride by Damian Lane, Lys Gracieux travelled midfield before Lane eased her out into the running line in the straight. From there she picked off some of the worlds best one by one and the race was all over 200 metres out.
Lane gave the rising 6yo daughter of Heart’s Cry (JPN) a kind ride and had time to sit up for the photos over 50 metres out as she won eased down by five lengths from the 3yo Saturnalia (Lord Kanaloa) with World Premiere a neck back in third.
The favourite Almond Eye was caught three-wide the trip and after making a short, sharp dash at the top of the straight she began to tire and clocked in 9th of the 16 starters.
Trained by Yoshito Yahagi for Carrot Farm, Lys Gracieux was due to be retired but connections will have plenty to think about following the ease of the win.
That was a sentiment expressed by Damian Lane post-race.
Lane will not want 2019 to end. He has won the Golden Slipper on Kiamichi, the Caulfield Cup on Mer De Glace (JPN) and the Takarazuka Kinen, Cox Plate, Arima Kinen on Lys Gracieux.
In the top three in 19 of her 22 career starts, Lys Gracieux advances her record to 6 wins, 8 seconds and 4 thirds.
Heart’s Cry may not be a threat to perennial Champion sire Deep Impact in 2019 however the son of Sunday Silence will put in a personal best in second ahead of Lord Kanaloa.
Lys Gracieux is the best of five winners out of the talented racemare Liliside who won three Listed races among her five wins in France.
The daughter of the Bering stallion American Post is a sister to the stakes winner Lily America whose multiple Group III-placed daughter The Wise Lady is the dam of Group III winner Ming Zhi Cosmos and Listed winner Melodyman.