Star Anise Shines en Route to Victory in the 86th Oka Sho

Race favorite Star Anise triumphed in the 86th running of the Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas), the first leg of the Fillies' Triple Crown, on Sunday, April 12.

The Drefong filly scored 2-1-0 out of four starts in 2025, including a victory in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (Grade 1, 1,600 meters), her previous start, which earned her the Best Two-Year-Old Filly title.

At Hanshin Racecourse, trainer Tomokazu Takano registered his 12th Japan Racing Association G1 win. It was his first G1 victory since the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies with this filly and it was his first Classic title.

Jockey Kohei Matsuyama notched his ninth career JRA G1 victory, and his first since the yearend Hopeful Stakes with Lovcen. It was Matsuyama's second Oka Sho title after previously winning with Daring Tact, who went on to complete the Fillies' Triple Crown sweep in 2020.

Race Favorite Star Anise Pulls Away for Victory

Star Anise broke smoothly from outside gate 15 but got excited briefly after being shuffled back by rivals closing from both sides. Managing to keep the filly in hand, Matsuyama settled her in mid-division around 9th or 10th up to the last turn where the Drefong filly was steered slightly out for a clear run.

As soon as the filly was released to go, Star Anise immediately shot forward and assumed command before the furlong pole and continued to pull away easily, opening the gap for a 2½-length victory. (Watch the race on the JRA's YouTube channel.)

"The race was said to be a close competition this year but I had every faith in my filly," Matsuyama said. "And while the pressure to run as the 2025 2-year-old champion was great, I am relieved and happy to have been able to show the fans the power that she possesses.

"My main goal during the race was to have her stay in good rhythm and I felt plenty of energy beneath me, so much so that I could keep her back and still trust her to respond powerfully when asked, which she did with great ease. I am not certain what plan awaits her after this race, but I think that she has a great future to look forward to."

The 86th running of the Oka Sho

Garavogue (Atsuya Nishimura) was unhurried out of the gate and in good position around fourth while saving ground along the rails down the backstretch. Shifting out for the stretch run nearing the final turn and increasing her speed down the center lane, the Lord Kanaloa filly was soon joined by the winner on the outside and.

And although showing terrific effort to chase that foe after taking over before the 200-meter pole, she was no match for the winner while successfully proving second best.

Twelfth pick Zippy Tune (Yuichi Kitamura) raced well behind, second from last while saving ground along the rails. She waited patiently for the field to spread out wide, turning for home. And she immediately shot forward through an opening in the inside with great force that equaled the fastest finish with the winner (33.7 seconds over the final three furlongs) to close in well for third.

I Need You, the 13th pick piloted by Yuga Kawada, finished fourth, a neck's length behind Zippy Tune.

Fourth choice Alankar (Yutaka Take) placed fifth, a head's length behind the fourth-place finisher.

Second favorite Dream Core (Christophe Lemaire) placed ninth.