Watch as Stars On Earth wins incredibly close finish to Japanese 1,000 Guineas

Stars On Earth prevailed in a driving finish to the Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas) at Hanshin on Sunday, the Yuga Kawada-ridden filly taking out the Classic by a nose from Water Navillera.

There was half a length back to the third, Namura Clair, with the margins back to favourite Namur, who finished tenth, then reading neck, neck, head, nose, neck, neck, neck.

The winner was positioned midfield early and emerged from the pack in the final strides to nail the Yutaka Take-partnered Water Navillera, who had taken the lead inside the final furlong.

While they went nose to nose in a nail-biting finish, Namur, who had been settled in rear after a slow start, was out of contention.

Stars On Earth is by Duramente and out of the Smart Strike mare Southern Stars, winner of a Sandown maiden for John Gosden and whose dam is Stacellita, the French-bred six-time top-level winner as well as the dam of Frankel's first Group 1 winner Soul Stirring.

This was Stars On Earth's second win from six starts, and she is her sire's first fillies' Classic winner.

Winning rider Kawada said: "I'd like to say thank you to her. I thought I could catch [Water Navillera] but was not sure. I rode her in training, and rode a race in such a style that she would be able to run her best.

"After the start, she couldn't chase the pace so I made her race with her rhythm. She battled with the other horses and survived to the end with her strong heart.

"The winning margin was very short but her performance was so good; after growing up some more, she will be able to race even better."

The runner-up's rider Take said: "It was the perfect race today. Her condition was the best in her career and the pace was good for her, so I have no excuses or regrets."

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