'She's truly amazing' - first top-level victory for Kizuna's W Heart Bond in Champions Cup

W Heart Bond followed up her recent success in the Grade 3 Miyako Stakes by capturing a first Grade 1 win with a battling victory in the Champions Cup at Chukyo on Sunday.

Ridden by Ryusei Sakai, the daughter of Kizuna was settled in third and the pair went to the front at the top of the home straight before settling into a protracted duel with the fast-finishing Wilson Tesoro, who was also fourth in this year's Saudi Cup. There was a further two and a half lengths back to the third-placed Ramjet.

Trained by Ryuji Okubo, the four-year-old is out of Smoke Glacken mare Persistently, a winner of the 2010 Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes. Her daughter's top-level victory marked her seventh win from her eight starts for owner Silk Racing Co Ltd and breeder Northern Farm.

Sakai said: "W Heart Bond's truly amazing. She made her debut late and she's still a weak mare, so I think it's amazing she was able to win a Grade 1 so soon. I didn't think she worked well in her final workout, but I thought she would be fine in the race itself.

"I didn't have a set race plan. I felt her respond well in the final turn and she was able to use all her power. I thought Wilson Tesoro was coming [to win] but I think it was due to her determination that she held on a bit more."

In winning Sunday's Grade 1, W Heart Bond becomes the fourth elite-level winner for Kizuna, joining Songline, Justin Milano and Akai Ito. Based at the Shadai Stallion Station, the son of Deep Impact will stand the upcoming breeding season for a fee of ¥20,000,000. 

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