Danon Fantasy lays down Oka Sho marker with impressive Hanshin success

Danon Fantasy marked herself out as a leading contender for next year's Classics with victory in the Grade 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies on Sunday.

Sent off the odds-on favourite, the Mitsumasa Nakauchida-trained two-year-old, partnered by Cristian Demuro, settled towards the rear of the field before producing an eyecatching burst in the home straight to take control of the race with half a furlong to run.

Hanshin Juvenile Fillies result

Demuro said: "The filly was relaxed and when I saw the second favourite come outside us after the fourth corner, I told her it's time to go, we have to fight, and she responded really well.

"She responds very quickly and has a real turn of foot. She's a good horse and I think she'll have a very good chance in the Oka Sho [Japanese 1,000 Guineas] next year.”

Chrono Genesis finished half a length back in second with Beach Samba third.

The Hanshin Juvenile Fillies has been won by illustrious individuals such as Vodka, Buena Vista and Soul Stirring – Frankel's first Grade 1 winner.

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