Hanshin Juvenile Fillies: Triumphant Star Anise Matches Record Time

Second favorite Star Anise triumphed in the 77th Hanshin Juvenile Fillies title while matching the race record of 1 minute, 32.6 seconds over 1,600 meters on Sunday, December 14.

Foaled out of two-time graded winner Epice Arome, the daughter of Drefong was fifth in her debut in June 2025 (Kokura, 1,200 meters). She broke her maiden in July over the same track and distance before finishing second in her previous start, the Chukyo Nisai Stakes (Chukyo, G3, 1,400 meters) against male opponent in late August.

On Sunday at Hanshin Racecourse, trainer Tomokazu Takano won his 11th Japan Racing Association G1 title following his victory with Jantar Mantar in the Mile Championship in November.

Jockey Kohei Matsuyama, who had ridden this filly since her debut, scored his seventh G1 victory after winning May's NHK Mile Cup with Panja Tower.

The Path to Victory in the 77th Hanshin Juvenile Fillies

Star Anise broke sharply but was eased back to about eighth between rivals behind a brisk pace. Shifted out to ensure a clear path approaching the third corner, the Drefong filly circled wide into the stretch and immediately picked up speed along the outside route.

She took command passing the 200-meter pole, and continued strongly to fend off strong challenges from Garavogue (Yuga Kawada's ride) and Taisei Vogue (Atsuya Nishimura) from the inside, stretching beautifully in the last strides for a 1¼-length victory. (Watch the race on the JRA's YouTube channel.)

Hanshin Juvenile Fillies — *Winning jockey Kohei Matsuyama (©SANKEI)*

"Although it was her first time at a mile distance, she gave me the impression that she'd be just fine after her last start over 1,400 meters," Matsuyama said after the race. "She has a big jumping stride, so my main concern was the weather. But [after the rain yesterday] it held up fine so luck was on our side."

Matsuyama added, "We were nearly stuck inside early in the race but, with a big stride like hers, I wanted her path to be clear and chose the outside route, which worked out just as I had imagined. She responded beautifully and had enough in the tank to put in another effort in the end."

Garavogue Completes the Race with a Strong Late Kick

Fourth pick Garavogue was further back than mid-pack in the early going. Although struggling to escape traffic soon after entering the stretch, the Lord Kanaloa filly turned in the fastest late kick (34.3 seconds over the final three furlongs) under strong urgings from her rider.

As soon as an opening presented itself between horses, to quickly reach contention Garavogue managed to edge Taisei Vogue by a neck for second.

Sixth favorite Taisei Vogue jumped well from an outside draw and advanced steadily along the outside passing the eventual winner 800 meters out and within striking distance into the stretch. With Star Anise on her outside, the two hit the front in the last 200 meters to join Garavogue to rally. But the winner had another gear in the last strides while the Indy Champ filly ran gamely to cross the wire a neck's length behind Garavogue.

Sweet Happiness (Riki Takasugi) finished fourth.

Race favorite Alankar (Yuichi Kitamura), who had come off two impressive wins by more than three lengths, trailed at the rear of the 18-horse field after a decent break. She advanced rapidly to mid-field approaching the third corner but, after turning widest for the stretch run, had much ground to cover. And Alankar was unable to cause a serious threat to the leaders while improving to fifth at the wire.