Air Messiah wins Shuka Sho in final stride

AIR MESSIAH bested the archrival RHEIN KRAFT in final stride to win the Shuka Sho Sunday afernoon at Kyoto. Having placed fourth and second, respectively, in the Oka Sho(Japanese 1000 Guineas) and Japanese Oaks, the Sunday Silence filly out of the grade winner Air Deja Vu(by Northern Taste) finally achieved a victory in the one of the three filly classics. "I am very happy with this win.", winning jockey Yutaka Take said after the race.

RHEIN KRAFT with putting her head up was eager to go a faster pace, but she was in good hands of Yuichi Fukunaga to race a fifth or sixth position. On front, EISHIN TENDER led the field of eighteen 3-year-old fillies, setting the pace with the first 1,000 meters in 60.1 seconds. Take had AIR MESSIAH raced at mid-field.

Fukunaga called on at the far turn, creeping up to the front. As the field turned for home, RHEIN KRAFT took over the lead and opened up at mid-field. AIR MESSIAH came out of the crowd to approach at every step. "Rhein Kraft was far in front. I was not sure we made up grounds.", Take said.

Just like the Rose Stakes three weeks ago, it was a thrilling finish that AIR MESSIAH and RHEIN KRAFT got home side by side, and the result was in a same order. AIR MESSIAH edged RHEIN KRAFT by a neck. Running third was NISHINO NURSE CALL, who finished a decisive 3-length away from the first two. The final time for the 2,000 meters was 1 minute 59.2 seconds on grass.

Under the name of Lucky Field Co. Ltd., AIR MESSIAH has earned more than 250 million yen with a record of 8-4-2-1. Shadai Farm in Chitose, Hokkaido is a breeder of the bay filly. Yuji Ito, trainer of AIR MESSIAH, will run her next in the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup.