3 minute read

It’s taken 21 runs, but Sun Elizabeth has finally paid her first visit to the winner’s circle on Friday night.

The Japanese-bred five-year-old mare actually showed some potential early doors with a couple of placings, but her form then tapered off.

Trainer Hideyuki Takaoka's main issue with the Samurai Stable-owned galloper was her dry coat and her inclination to drop off in condition, especially a few months ago.

But the stars were finally aligned in Friday's $30,000 Class 5 Division 2 race over 1100m when she came with a well-timed run under Marc Lerner to nab Gangnam Classic (Mohammad Nizar) by a neck.

Thoth Warrior (Koh Teck Huat) was being hailed the winner when he made a swift midrace move to scoot clear at the top of the straight, but he eventually came back to run third another 1 ¼ lengths away.

Sent out at $15, Sun Elizabeth (x Lohengrin) ran the 1100m on the Polytrack in 1min 6.38secs and has now taken her stakes earnings past the $40,000 mark for the Samurai Stable.

"She's very hard to train as she's dry-coated. A few months ago, her condition dropped and it's taken a while to get her back," said Takaoka who was at his 21st win for the season.

"Marc rode her very well and it's great she's finally won her first race. The owners have been very patient."

Lerner keeps up the winning momentum with Takaoka with their 16th success together and 29th all-up.

"She was getting close to a win. We found the right race for her tonight," said the French Raffles Cup-winning jockey (Makanani).

"She took a while to ping in the last 100m, I had to push away hard, which tells me she may be even better over longer, 1200m would be good."