Lucky Lilac wins G1 Osaka Hai race at Hanshin Racecourse in Takarazuka, Hyogo. Courtesy: JRA website

Even as the coronavirus pandemic ravages the world and has shut down the biggest sporting events, it’s business as usual for horseracing in several countries.

The Japanese horseracing season continues behind closed doors.

Lucky Lilac improved on her runner-up effort in the Nakayama Kinen (G2, 1,800m) last month to captured her third G1 title in this year’s Osaka Hai which was held without the usual cheering crowd due to precautionary measures against COVID-19 taken by the Japan Racing Association (JRA).

According to the report at JRA website, the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1, 1,600m) victor and 2017 Best Two-Year-Old Filly landed her second G1 victory last November in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2,200m) and concluded her four-year-old campaign with a runner-up effort in the Hong Kong Vase (G1, 2,400m).

Trainer Mikio Matsunaga claimed his fifth career G1 title (steeplechases included)— the last being the Queen Elizabeth II Cup with the same horse. Jockey Mirco Demuro landed his 31st JRA-G1 title, the first since the 2019 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) with Loves Only You. He also won the 2018 edition of the Osaka Hai with Suave Richard, a year after the race was upgraded to G1 status.

Lucky Lilac broke sharply from a good draw but allowed race favorite Danon Kingly to pass and dictate a moderated pace and eased to third along the rails, a few lengths behind the pace setter and Jinambo who stalked the leader in second. While keeping an eye on Chrono Genesis who made her move towards the outside route turning for home, Mirco Demuro kept the Orfevre mare to the inside, and did not miss the chance as Jinambo began to tire with 200 meters to go and slipped through to the outside of Danon Kingly, increasing her strides impressively to out-win both Chrono Genesis and Danon Kingly for a neck victory.

“I really miss the fans that were unable to come and watch the race, but it’s always a great feeling to be able to win a G1 race. Lucky Lilac was well prepared for coming into this race after a prep at Nakayama where she found the uphill still a little tough at the finish—she was definitely very strong and fit this time, said Mirco Demuro.

Meanwhile, Godolphin’s 2019 Golden Slipper winner Kiamichi is to be retired, ending a short but illustrious career.

A Godolphin homebred, Kiamichi led home an all-blue sweep of the Slipper placings in a result that came as something of a surprise, but her pedigree and her form line made her a most worthy winner.

Kiamichi is by the Golden Slipper runner-up Sidestep from Ouachita, a daughter of the 1990 Slipper winner Canny Lad. Her family also features the Slipper winners Vain, Marscay, Dark Eclipse and Storm Queen.

Kiamichi had been Godolphin’s first two-year-old winner in Australia for the 2018-19 season and seven days before the Golden Slipper she won the G3 Magic Night Stakes and became the fifth filly to take the double.

She also overcame the significant obstacle of a wide barrier, crossing the field and leading throughout to carry the Godolphin colours to their first victory in the world’s richest two-year-old race.

The placegetters Microphone and Lyre also added merit to the win, the former going on to be named Australia’s Champion two-year-old of the season while Lyre was the winner of the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes.

Trainer James Cummings praised the filly as a genuine G1 star whose desire and talent came together in full proportion in the Golden Slipper.

“She was our first two-year-old winner of the season and she just grew stronger and better as her preparations progressed,” Cummings said.

“I have nothing but praise for her win in such a high-pressure race. We trained her for strength and she was the toughest on the day. They all had the chance to run her down, but they didn’t threaten her.”

“The Golden Slipper is a race that shapes the breed in Australia, and she now gets her chance to contribute to that tradition.”

Godolphin’s managing director for Australia, Vin Cox, said Kiamichi retires sound and healthy and that a mate is yet to be confirmed.