Japanese-bred mare Yachiyo will target the lucrative $300,000 Sportsbet Future Stars Series Final (1400m) on February 27, following her impressive heat victory on January 17. Co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr confirmed the decision, opting for the rich feature over a Benchmark 64 race over 1600m.
“For $300,000, we’d be mad not to have a crack at the race we felt,” Kent Jnr said. Yachiyo will be freshened with a trial and light work, including dressage, ahead of her next start.
Purchased for ¥60,000,000 (~AUD$650,000) at the 2022 JRHA Select Sale in Hokkaido, Yachiyo’s acquisition was a challenge due to COVID restrictions. Kent Jnr credited Su-Ann Khaw for her role in securing the mare. “I was very keen to go over to Japan and was lucky enough with Su-Ann Khaw… I was one of only a few internationals at the sale due to COVID restrictions,” he said.
Despite a troubled debut at Seymour, Yachiyo has shown significant potential, winning her maiden by 2.25 lengths. “She has always shown glimpses of talent but was immature,” Kent Jnr noted.
By Epiphaneia, a Japan Cup winner, and out of a daughter of VRC Oaks winner Mosheen, Yachiyo is bred to excel over longer distances. Bred to northern hemisphere time, she is considered a four-year-old in Australia.
Trilogy Racing, who owns Yachiyo, could have two runners in the Future Stars Final, with Hey Now Hey Now, trained by Robert Hickmott, also a strong contender.
Yachiyo’s campaign continues to build momentum as she prepares for her shot at the lucrative feature.