Heart's Cry finally gets big one

Heart’s Cry, previously having knocked on the door for winning the grade one on three occasions, finally got one when he became a hero of the Arima Kinen(g1) yesterday afternoon at JRA Nakayama. Christophe Lemaire also rode the first g1 winner in Japan. Prior to the Arima, the 26-year-old French jockey had registered the 5 seconds from 9 mounts in the Japanese grade one races.

16 runners went to the post. Lemaire sent Heart’s Cry into a surprising third slot as Tap Dance City, as expected, made the running and Osumi Haruka followed in second. While, heavy favorite Deep Impact under Yutaka Take ranked in the rear.

Before the turn at the final corner, Cosmo Bulk made a spurt. Heart’s Cry and Lincoln went after him. As the field entered the home stretch for the second time, Cosmo Bulk took the lead with Tap Dance City fading, and Heart’s Cry and Lincoln were just on the tail. On the outside, at least four lengths back, Deep Impact began to shift into the top gear.

At around 200 meters from home, Lemaire had one of the strongest rides to force Heart’s Cry into front. On behind, Deep Impact surmounted Cosmo Bulk and Lincoln, and the gap was closing by inches. Within 100 meters to go, there was only Heart’s Cry to beat, but he was not stopping and went on to the winning post. The two separated by a half-length. The winner stopped the clock in 2 minutes 31.9 seconds having traveled over 2,500 meters on grass. Running for third was Lincoln, a 1 1/4-length behind Deep Impact. Another 1 1/4-length back, Cosmo Bulk was fourth with Coin Toss fifth.