Shuka Sho: Absolute Perfection Targets First Grade 1 Title at Kyoto
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
The Shuka Sho, the third and final leg of Japan's Triple Tiara for fillies, takes centre stage at Kyoto Racecourse on Sunday (October 18), offering total prize money of 239 million yen (approximately 11.9 million Hong Kong dollars). The 2000-metre turf feature has attracted 17 starters, though two notable absentees are first-leg winner Star Anise and Juryoku Pierrot, who triumphed in the Japanese Oaks. The standout contender is Absolute Perfection, who brings a flawless four-win record into her first Grade 1 assignment, having just captured the Grade 2 Rose Stakes over 1800 metres.
Key Points
- Absolute Perfection (parent sire Symbol) maintains an unblemished four-race record under jockey Keita Tosaki
- The filly missed spring classics due to foot issues but has since shown consistent training form at Ritto facility
- Shuka Sho prize pool reaches 239 million yen, with post time scheduled for 2:40 PM Hong Kong time on October 18
- Her dam Hawaii Princess won the 1000 Guineas (1600m Grade 1) and multiple Listed events
- Grade 2 Shoin Himba winner New Masterpiece joins under champion jockey Yutaka Takeshi
- Trainer Yoichi Uemura rates Absolute Perfection among the finest horses he has prepared
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong racing enthusiasts, the Shuka Sho offers a glimpse into the quality of Japanese breeding and training, an increasingly relevant benchmark as Hong Kong seeks to strengthen international competition ties. Sunday's race also provides a clear gauge of Absolute Perfection's potential future value at stud, given her elite pedigree and current form trajectory. With the Hong Kong International Races approaching in December, this Grade 1 contest serves as a useful reference point for evaluating Japanese form lines that often interconnect with international competition.
For Hong Kong racing enthusiasts, the Shuka Sho offers a glimpse into the quality of Japanese breeding and training, an increasingly relevant benchmark as Hong Kong seeks to strengthen international competition ties. Sunday's race also provides a clear gauge of Absolute Perfection's potential future value at stud, given her elite pedigree and current form trajectory. With the Hong Kong International Races approaching in December, this Grade 1 contest serves as a useful reference point for evaluating Japanese form lines that often interconnect with international competition.