Teething problems for 'idol' Sodashi as Deep Impact's daughter takes Shuka Sho

All-white superstar Sodashi could manage only tenth in the Group 1 Shuka Sho at Hanshin on Sunday as Deep Impact's improving daughter Akaitorino Musume stormed to a first top-level victory.

Trained by Sakae Kunieda and ridden by Keita Tosaki, the three-year-old filly beat dual Group 3 winner Fine Rouge by half a length in the ten-furlong contest on turf, with Group 2 winner Andvaranaut the same distance further back in third.

Bred by Northern Farm and owned by Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co Ltd, Akaitorino Musume is the fourth foal out of five-time Group 1-winning mare Apapane, by King Kamehameha, and is a sister to smart winners Jinambo and Rhinebeck. One of Apapane's top-flight strikes came in this very race in 2010, when run at Kyoto.

Starting fourth favourite here, Akaitorino Musume was settled in sixth position but hit tear gear rounding the home turn and was in front with half a furlong to run. This year's Japanese 1,000 Guineas winner Sodashi started odds-on in the field of 16 and there may have been an excuse for her rather laboured performance.

Sodashi's trainer Naosuki Sugai reported: "After the race, I confirmed that her teeth had been wobbly and bleeding. Perhaps it happened in the stalls. It would be one of the reasons. I'd like to confirm her condition more and determine her next plan, if it is not so severe."

Her jockey Hayato Yoshida added: "I am sorry I couldn't meet the fans' expectation. The pace was not too fast but her response was not like usual."

As for Akaitorino Musume, which means 'a daughter of a red bird' in Japanese, this was a fourth win from seven starts, her previous best having been a Group 3. She had also been runner-up in the Yushun Himba, the Japanese Oaks.

For Kunieda, this was a third Shuka Sho triumph after Apapane and the great Almond Eye in 2018 - both of those were Japanese fillies' triple crown winners.

Trainer Sakae Kunieda has now won three Shuka ShosCredit: Masakazu Takahashi

Winning rider Tosaki said: "Today, though an idolised white filly was in the race, I was very happy to ride this filly and win this race.

"She got a good position and into a good rhythm, as I'd planned. Her response in the straight was good and I was able to spurt to catch the leader. She was able to lengthen her stride and was strong.

"I think she has grown up from eight months ago when I rode her [to win the Group 3]. I am happy to prevail on a filly with a pedigree like this, and she will grow up more and more."

Kunieda added: "I'm very happy because I also trained Apapane and her dam Salty Bid, and now I'm training such an excellent filly of the third generation. All of them are owned by Mr Kaneko, so I have been taking care of him for a long time.

"She was previously not quite at the top level but after the summer break, though her body was the same as in the spring season, her mind became calmer and she was well behaved.

"After this step, I'd like to select the next race for her after discussion with the owner. I think her distance would be a mile and a quarter to a mile and a half, so we're talking Japan Cup or QEII Cup and so on."

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