Yankee Rose Daughter Liberty Island Blows Them Away in Japanese Oaks

The Group 1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) at Tokyo boasts a stellar roll call of champion fillies, but it is doubtful if Yankee Rose’s exceptional daughter Liberty Island (JPN) would bow to any of them.

Settled three pairs back on the rail some eight lengths behind Light Quantum, who led a breakaway pack of four, Yuga Kawada played the percentages and eased Liberty Island to the centre of the track on turning for home.

The daughter of Duramente (JPN) strode up under a stranglehold, and the only betting was on the winning margin.

The margin was six lengths and could have been more. The Heart’s Cry (JPN) filly Harper was second a neck ahead of Duramente (JPN) filly Dura in third, with the game Kitasan Black (JPN) filly Ravel in fourth.

An imperious winner of the Group 1 The Oka Show (Japanese 1000 Guineas) at Hanshin on April 9, Liberty Island advances her record to four wins and a second from five starts.