Favored Daiwa Scarlet controlled the tempo then led the dash for home by three-quarters of a length over Fusaichi Pandora in the $1.675 million Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup (Jpn-I) at Kyoto Race Course Nov. 11.
Pre-race choice Vodka, winner of the Japanese Derby (Jpn-I) in May, was a morning scratch from the QE II Cup for fillies and mares at about 11 furlongs. As a result, the 3-year-old filly Daiwa Scarlet, winner of the Shuka Sho over the Kyoto course in her last start Oct. 14, went off a short price in the 13-horse field.
Ridden by Katsumi Ando, Daiwa Secret went straight to the lead and showed the way. In the early stages of the straight, Daiwa Scarlet pulled away from the stalking Asahi Rising to open up a solid advantage. Fusaichi Pandora moved clearly into second place, and jockey Kenichi Ikezoe brought Sweep Tosho along the inside of the field to make her run. But it was too late as Daiwa Scarlet proved best in a final time of 2:11.9 on firm going.
Fusaichi Pandora finished second by 1 3/4 lengths over Sweep Tosho in third. Dia de la Novia finished on well for fourth.
Trained by Kunihide Matsuda, the chestnut Daiwa Scarlet has won six of eight starts with two seconds in her two seasons.
Daiwa Scarlet, a Japanese-bred daughter of Agnes Tachyon out of the blue hen mare Scarlet Bouquet, is owned by Keizo Oshiro. Scarlet Bouquet is also the dam of four-time grade I winner Daiwa Major. Shadai Farm bred Daiwa Scarlet.
