Rose blooms for Demuro in Queen Elizabeth II Cup

King Kamehameha’s daughter Stunning Rose led at the top of the home straight at Kyoto on Sunday and maintained that advantage to the line to win the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

The five-year-old started third favourite and was settled in fourth early on by Cristian Demuro behind pace-setter Conch Shell. 

Stunning Rose ultimately ran out a two-length winner of the fillies’ and mares’ contest over a mile and three furlongs over long-shot Ravel, with second favourite Wholeness a further three-quarters of a length back in third.

Odds-on favourite Regaleira, who was settled in mid-pack under Christophe Lemaire, made a move in the straight but couldn't manage better than fifth.

The winner is out of Kurofune's winning daughter Rosa Blanca and this was her sixth win on her 17th career start; her other strikes have included the 2022 Group 1 Shuka Sho and two at Group 3 level, for owner Sunday Racing Co. Ltd. and trainer Tomokazu Takano.

Demuro said: "I thought what I would like to do after the good break was to take a good position behind the leaders. I could race with her good response and she ran well in the straight and finished strongly.

"I came to Japan to win Group 1s, so I am very happy and want to say thank you to the connections who are supporting me."

Regaleira's rider Lemaire said: "I couldn't get the position I wanted. I think I would have had a good race if I had stayed behind Cristian. She started well, but she was running the same way as usual and was too far behind. 

“She was unlucky as she got hit a bit in the straight and couldn't race smoothly. She’s definitely Group 1 level. It’s just that I wasn't able to ride her to maximum advantage."

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