3 minute read

The G1s in Japan kick back off with the Sprinters Stakes run at Nakayama on Sunday.

Some international greats like Takeover Target won it in 2006. Which sprinter takes the mantle in the 2021 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) at Nakayama on Sunday?

2021 SPRINTERS STAKES - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Sprinters Stakes is a Grade 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for three year olds and above at Nakayama racecourse conducted by the Japan Racing Association.

The Sprinters Stakes is run over 1200m. It was first run in 1967 and was won by Onward Hill.

Originally a Domestic Grade 3 race, it was elevated to Domestic Grade 2 in 1987, Domestic Grade 1 in 1990, and to its present level in 2006. Horses trained outside Japan have been eligible to run in the race since 1994. Prior to 2000 the race was run in December.

The Sprinters Stakes was worth JPY281,800,000 in 2021.

Nakayama racecourse is a right handed course with the sprint start up the back straight.

The 2002 and 2014 runnings of the Sprinters Stakes were held at Niigata racecourse.

Older horses have been more dominant with few 4yos taking it out and the last 3yo winner being Aston Machan in 2007.

Great Japanese sprinter Lord Kanaloa won the race twice. The 2012 running was his first G1 victory.

Hong Kong's hero Silent Witness was tried up to a mile but was beaten in the Champions Mile at home and then the Yasuda Kinen. Freshened up he came back to Japan and was far too good.

Australia's great evergreen sprinter Takeover Target was on a global crusade. He won at Royal Ascot then was beaten in the Centaur Stakes before Jay Ford took him to the front and he led all the way in 2006 around Nakayama.

Gran Alegria won a Yasuda Kinen then dropped back to take the Sprinters Stakes. She then won the Mile Championship and Victorian Mile to make her an elite horse in Japan.

The jockeys have spread this race around. Mirco Demuro won twice on Red Falx.

Takayuki Yasuda has three wins of late as a trainer.

Notable winners of the Sprinters Stakes include Gran Alegria (2020), Tower Of London (2019), Fine Needle (2018), Straight Girl (2015), Lord Kanaloa (2012/2013), Curren Chan (2011), Takeover Target (2006), Silent Witness (2005), Black Hawk (1999), Taiki Shuttle (1997), Meiwa Kimiko (1977/1978) and Sakura Iwai (1974/1975).

The 2020 Sprinters Stakes was won by Gran Alegria from Danon Smash and A Will A Way.