Exciting filly Loves Only You sets new record time in Japanese Oaks

Loves Only You extended her unbeaten run and enhanced her growing reputation when winning the Japanese Oaks at Tokyo on Sunday, breaking the great Gentildonna's record time for the race.

The three-year-old filly, trained by Yoshito Yahagi and ridden by Mirco Demuro, denied Current Bouquetd'Or by a neck in the Yushun Himba in a time of 2m22.80s.

A daughter of Deep Impact, Loves Only You is unbeaten in four starts, with this her maiden Grade 1 victory. The Yushun Himba has a rich recent history, with Almond Eye taking the race last year en route to completing the Japanese Triple Crown for fillies.

Winning jockey Demuro said: "We started out well and had a good place throughout the race. The horse slowed a bit in the fourth corner, but pressed forward in the final stretch. She can really accelerate."

Loves Only You will not be tasked with breaking her nation's hoodoo in the Arc as she was not entered for the race last week. If she is to be campaigned internationally this year a trip to the Hong Kong International Races in December appears to be the most likely target.

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