Embroidery backed heavily ahead of G1 Victoria Mile
Acclaimed as Japan’s champion three-year-old filly last season, Embroidery will bid to enhance her reputation with victory in the JPY326.5 million Group 1 Victoria Mile (1600m) at Tokyo Racecourse, Japan on Sunday.
With victories in two of 2025’s Classics – the Group 1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas, 1600m) and the Group 1 Shuka Sho (2000m) – the daughter of Admire Mars suffered her sole domestic defeat last year in the Group 1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks, 2400m) at the hands of one of Sunday’s rivals, Kamunyak.
Embroidery avenged that defeat, and erased dismal memories of an underwhelming 11th behind Voyage Bubble in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin in December, when resuming with an all-the-way triumph in the Group 2 Hanshin Himba Stakes (1600m) at Hanshin on April 11.
Embroidery has shortened significantly in Victoria Mile betting in recent days and is as short as 1.80 with betting sites to win on Sunday,
“It was a very good performance,” trainer Kazutomo Mori said.
“After that heavy defeat in Hong Kong, I wasn’t completely sure what to expect, but she was strong last time. Now that she’s an older mare, she’s filled out physically and her core has become much stronger.”
With six wins and a second from 10 starts, Embroidery has won over the Victoria Mile course and distance in the 2025 Group 3 Daily Hai Queen Cup.
“Her Queen Cup was a very strong race,” Mori said. “She’s fine whether she’s in front or coming from behind, and this setting (Tokyo) suits her.”
Japanese Oaks conqueror Kamunyak resumed with an eye-catching second to Embroidery at Hanshin, failing by only a neck to run down her rival after clocking 33.2s for the final 600m, and while her best results have come over extended trips, she has won twice at Tokyo.
“This race is also over 1600 metres and it’s Tokyo with a nice, long stretch,” Trainer Yasuo Tomomichi said. “If she can race like her most recent race, I think she’ll be able to draw on her late speed.”
Queen’s Walk is also among a string of leading candidates. She suffered interference in the straight in last season’s Victoria Mile and ultimately finished second by a neck to Ascoli Piceno, while Jocelyn – a full sister to triple Group 1-winner Efforia – is among the top contenders with three wins and a second from only six starts.
Jocelyn overcame barrier 17 to charge to victory in the G3 Kokura Himba Stakes (2000m) on January 24 to underline her potential, defeating Bond Girl and Coconuts Brown at Kokura, and although yet to win in a Group 1 race, her trainer Yuichi Shikato believes the filly is capable of breaking through.
“At this distance she can ride the pace more comfortably and access more of her potential. If the race comes down to who has the best turn of foot over the long stretch, it should work in her favour,” he said.
Cervinia, Lavanda and Paradis Reine also have claims.
