Little Amapola best run in QE II Cup

Under the hand of Christophe Lemaire, Little Amapola performed the best run in her 8th career start when she gained a 1 1/2-length victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup at Kyoto Racecourse on Sunday.

By Agnes Tachyon out of the Commander in Chief mare Little Harmony, Little Amapola took the good inside position throughout the race before grabbing the lead in the stretch. Heavy favorite Kawakami Princess took second, a 3/4-length in front of Bella Rheia.

Right after getting off the gate, Portofino stumbled so that her rider Yutaka Take fell down on the ground. By the way, the riderless horse crossed the line first.

Little Amapola has now won 4 races with 161+ million yen in career earnings for trainer H. Nagahama and owner Shadai Race Horse. Shaidai Corporation was the breeder of the 3-year-old dark bay.

The 33rd running of the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup, grade one
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Kyoto Race-11 18-ran 3:40 p.m.
3yo+ f&m 2,200-meter turf right-handed firm clear
final time: 2m 12.10s

16 Little Amapola C.Lemaire
15 Kawakami Princess N.Yokoyama
13 Bella Rheia S.Akiyama
7 Meine Ratsel Y.Kawada
1 Rain Dance K.Take
margins: 1-1/2l, 3/4l, 2-1/2l, nk

also ran: Mood Indigo, Arco Senora, Red Agate, Ask Deputy, Tres Rapide(IRE), Tokai Luna, Reginetta, F T Maia, Biennale, Pisa no Juban, Fair Breeze(GER) and Cosmo Platina
dnf: Portofino