Circle Of Life shows blistering speed to take Japan's key juvenile fillies' race

Circle Of Life, the daughter of Epiphaneia out of Admire Japan's winning daughter Sea Breeze Life, showed a blistering turn of foot, storming home to hit the front at the final furlong, to land Japan's most important two-year-old race for fillies, the Group 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies.

The Sakae Kunieda-trained filly, ridden by Mirco Demuro, scored by half a length from longshot Lovely Your Eyes, while Water Navillera, who was expected to win the Grade 1 by the Take brothers, was another half-length back in third.

The favourite Namur broke very slowly and sat in rear. She came fast and late on the inside under the winning rider's brother Cristian, responding powerfully to his urgings, but could manage only fourth.

For the winner, this was a third success from four starts, including one at Grade 3 level.

Winning rider Demuro said: "I am delighted, and it's a wonderful feeling after beating my brother Cristian!

Circle Of Life claims Group 1 honours at HanshinCredit: Masakazu Takahashi

"I had confidence. She ran smoothly in the midfield, and at the straight I drove her to the outside and I knew she would accelerate without faltering, so I believed in her.

"I've ridden her from her debut and she's run very well every time. Though she broke slowly in her second race, she has started well otherwise. She is tough and is growing up race by race. She has good potential, so I am looking forward to next year after she grows up even more."

His brother Cristian reflected of Namur: "Her start was bad so we raced at the rear. In the back straight she was scared some horses were crossing, so I handled her to the inside. She accelerated well on the bad ground, but I think the outside stall was not good for her."

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