Knocking on the door for a grade I victory since she was 2, Whale Capture broke through in her sixth attempt May 13, winning Japan's Victoria Mile by a half-length at Tokyo Racecourse.
Forwardly placed by jockey Norihiro Yokoyama, 4-year-old Whale Capture collared pacesetter Queen's Barn at mid-stretch and took command in the final furlong. The fourth choice in the field of 18 older fillies and mares held off the steadily closing Donau Blue for victory.
Race favorite Apapane, who defeated 2010 Horse of the Year Buena Vista in last year's Victoria Mile, finished fifth. Final time for the 1,600-meter event was 1:32.4 over firm turf.
Whale Capture, sent off at odds of 7-1, placed in all three of Japan's filly triple crown events last season. Trained by Kiyotaka Tanaka for owner Masaru Shimada, the daughter of Kurofune won the Rose Stakes (Jpn-II) and the Queen Cup (Jpn-III) in 2011.
With three wins and two seconds out of five mile-race starts, her next target could be the Yasuda Kinen (Jpn-I) at 1,600 meters in June.
Out of the Sunday Silence mare Global Peace, the winning gray filly was bred by Chiyoda Farm Shizunai.
Third choice Marcellina nosed Kyowa Jeanne for third, 1 1/4 lengths behind Donau Blue.
Whale Capture wins the Victoria Mile.
Kate Hunter