'I think she can achieve more at this level' - Japanese 1,000 Guineas heroine Embroidery returns to winning ways in Shuka Sho

This year's Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas) winner Embroidery bounced back to winning ways with a straightforward win in the Shuka Sho at Kyoto on Sunday – her second victory out of Japan's three fillies' Triple Crown races.

Trained by Kazutomo Mori for owner Silk Racing Co Ltd, Embroidery had last been seen finishing ninth in the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) at Tokyo in May but regained the winning thread with a fast-finishing effort under Christophe Lemaire. 

The second-favourite was settled in midfield and went up to take second spot in a slowly run race before showing a powerful turn of foot to deny favourite Erika Express by half a length.

Embroidery, a Northern Farm-bred daughter of Admire Mars, is out of the winning Kurofune mare Rottenmeier and was recording her fifth win from eight starts. She is the first top-flight winner for her sire with her brace of Grade 1 victories this year and one of two black-type scorers for the Shadai Stallion Station resident. 

Lemaire said: "It was unfortunate the Oaks distance was too far for her, but I was confident she would win the Shuka Sho. She was relaxed in the first half of the race and has settled well this autumn. 

"It took her a while to get going in the straight but she showed good speed in the final furlong. She's now won two Grade 1s and I think she can achieve more at this level." 

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