Another star filly for Japan with Daring Tact

Daring Tact emerged as a potential star on Sunday with victory in the Oka Sho — the Japanese 1000 Guineas — at Hanshin racecourse.

Unbeaten in three starts, the Haruki Sugiyama-trained daughter of 2014 Japan Cup winner Epiphaneia produced an extraordinary burst of speed from way back to pick off her rivals, catching favourite Resistencia a few strides before the line, in a race run behind closed doors.

She is now expected to tackle the Yushun Himba — Japanese Oaks — on May 24, before hopefully the final leg of the Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown, the Shuka Sho, in October.

What a closing kick!

Daring Tact -- daughter of G1 Japan Cup winner Epiphaneia -- remains undefeated as she wins the first leg of the Japanese Fillies Triple Crown: the G1 Oka Sho. pic.twitter.com/cM0ynUPMdC

— TVG (@TVG) April 12, 2020

Winning rider Kohei Matsuyama said: ‟I concentrated on her rhythm more than where to position her today. We were far behind the leaders and desperate in catching up, but she responded beautifully and stretched incredibly all the way to the line.

“I'm not worried about the added distance in the coming Japanese Oaks, but she does have issues to work on such as being relaxed. I'm praying that the day we can race in front of the crowd again will come soon.”

The Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown has been claimed by five fillies in the past, including Gentildonna and Almond Eye, both of whom went on to capture the Japan Cup and be victorious on on Dubai World Cup night.