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SARGA.CO - Double Crown winner Lovcen took another step toward the final crown on 21 September, winning the G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai by a nose at Hanshin Racecourse.

Ridden by Kohei Matsuyama and trained by Haruki Sugiyama, Lovcen came from the middle of the pack and produced a sustained late run to catch Altramuz in the final strides. Sea to Summit, the 11th favourite, finished another half-length back in third. 

All three secured priority entry to the G1 Kikuka Sho, the last leg of Japan's Classic Triple Crown, which will be held over 3,000 metres at Kyoto on October 25.

Even though Lovcen was the top favourite at 1.4, things did not unfold in a way that made it easy for him. The pace was measured early, with the field staying compact before the runners began to increase the tempo well before the final turn.

Lovcen settled around midfield as Matsuyama waited till the final 800 metres to make his move. The jockey advanced his mount to swing toward the outside in the stretch and gradually built his momentum, rather than producing one explosive burst. 

However, Altramuz found room along the inside and was finishing strongly at the same time. For a moment, it appeared the challenger might have done enough, as the two horses hit the line almost together, but Lovcen officially prevailed by a nose. 

His final 600 metres were timed in 33.8 seconds, while Altramuz was even faster at 33.5. Sea to Summit closed in 34.1 seconds.

Matsuyama too was encouraged by how he sustained his effort. “He had enough left in the tank, and I thought we could get there,” he said, as quoted by Nikkan Sports. He also described the performance as a strong race because Lovcen was able to use his stamina over a long stretch of the race. 

In the Kikuka Sho, that ability to keep going may ultimately matter more than the margin.

There is, however, one question hanging over Lovcen before the Kikuka Sho: Can he handle the distance? “I’ve been saying for a while that, just looking at his build, I do wonder whether 3000m will really suit him,” Sugiyama said, as quoted by netkeiba.

The good news for Sugiyama is that Lovcen returned from his summer break in healthy condition and completed his first autumn assignment. The less reassuring part was his body weight, which, instead of being heavier as expected, was four kilograms lighter. 

“That was a slight miscalculation,” Sugiyama said, as quoted by netkeiba. There is therefore still room for the champion to improve before the biggest test of his career.

Lovcen will not be the only horse arriving at Kyoto with momentum. The other official Kikuka Sho trial, the G2 St Lite Kinen, was held at Nakayama on 13 September.

In contrast to the favourite winning at Hanshin, Justin Chicago caused a major upset at 50.6-1, defeating Savoire Faire by one length, with Audacia another half-length behind in third. All three also secured priority entry to the Kikuka Sho.