Akai Ito springs huge surprise with dominant Queen Elizabeth II Cup success

Akai Ito caused a big upset in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Hanshin as top-level racing returned to Japan after the country's unprecedented Breeders' Cup success.

A field of fillies and mares were out to show they possess the star potential to emulate Loves Only You and Marche Lorraine – winners of the Filly & Mare Turf and Distaff – with many eyes on market leaders Lei Papale and Akaitorino Musume.

Queen Elizabeth II Cup result

Neither managed to hit the frame, though, as 64-1 outsider Akai Ito struck for trainer Kazuya Nakatake and jockey Hideaki Miyuki.

After overcoming a slow break, the four-year-old filly travelled wide as she mounted her challenge on the turn for home and took up the lead from Lei Papale not long after straightening up.

Akai Ito stretched clear of her rivals in the closing stages to make a mockery of her starting price with a two-length victory.

Stellaria and Clavel emerged from the chasing pack to stay on for second and third, with Godolphin's Soft Fruit in fourth.

Miyuki said: "I'm so happy. This was the first time I'd ridden her in a race but when I rode her in training, I knew to focus on getting her to relax.

"At the break, I couldn't start well but at the back straight, I settled on the position I had planned. It was the short straight course, so I urged her to go to the front early. I trusted she could run fast at the end."

Christophe Lemaire, rider of favourite and sixth-placed Lei Papale, said: "She was not cool in the race and I couldn't control her well, so I had to move early and she couldn't hold her run at the last strides. The 1m3f trip might be too long for her."

Akai Ito provided sire Kizuna, a son of Deep Impact, with his first Grade 1 victory.

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