The new Almond Eye? Christophe Lemaire wowed by Japanese Triple Crown hope

It is easy enough for a winning jockey or trainer to get carried away in the moments after a major success, but 24 hours on from landing the Japanese Oaks aboard Stars On Earth Christophe Lemaire was sticking to his post-race comparisons with the mighty Almond Eye.

While Stars On Earth has a way to go before starting to match the achievements of Japan's highest-earning racehorse, her effort in adding the Yushun Himba to the Oka Sho (1,000 Guineas) already has her two-thirds of the way to the fillies' Triple Crown.

Lemaire had not ridden the daughter of Duramente in any of her previous six starts, but was impressed with the way she stayed on powerfully down the centre of the track to join Gentildonna, Almond Eye and Loves Only You in dipping under 2min 24sec for the Oaks.

"The comparison between Stars On Earth and Almond Eye is that neither of them seemed made to win the Oka Sho over a mile, their quality allowed them to win," Lemaire told the Racing Post. "They both really showed their class when stepped up in trip for the Oaks over a mile and a half and then hopefully the Shuka Sho [St Leger] over a mile and a quarter. "

Lemaire added: "She should progress again and I think she has the ability to win the Triple Crown."

Top of the world: Christophe Lemaire celebrates as Almond Eye wins a second Japan CupCredit: Masakazu Takahashi

Lemaire was completing a rare treble on Sunday in winning a Classic on three successive generations of the same family, having landed the Prix de Diane aboard Stars On Earth's second dam Stacelita back in his native France, as well as the Yushun Himba with her aunt Soul Stirring.

Stars On Earth was a first domestic Group 1 winner of the year for Lemaire, who has been a rare enough presence on the big days in Japan this year, missing three weekends when travelling to Saudi Arabia, Dubai and the Kentucky Derby, while the first two of those trips cost him extra time away due to Covid complications.

He will attempt to add another Classic to his resume this Sunday when partnering Equinox in the Derby.

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