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Sunday Racing Co owned-Songline sat in the third flank just off the rail before commencing a steady rally outside faltering pace-setters and seizing the lead within the final 200m. The daughter of Prix Niel in France winner Kizuna, piloted by Christophe Lemaire defeated Casa Creed (USA) and Happy Romance (IRE), who were to the outside and inside of the winner during the first half of the 1351m race. The pair commenced their rallies in unison with the eventual victress, with the former going wide and latter diving inside between horses.
But they were not able to Songline at the finish. 6YO Casa Creed finished runner-up to the winner while Tom Marquand piloted Happy Romance to an excellent third-place finish. It was another three and a half lengths back to another Japanese runner, Lauda Sion (Christian Demuro), in fourth.
Songline won for the fourth time in nine starts and for the first time at less than 1400m.
“This is the greatest moment of my career. I have been training for only four years and it is my first time racing a horse outside of Japan, so for Songline to do this,” said Songline’s conditioner Toru Hayashi. “I think I am dreaming!,” he added.
"She is such a brilliant filly and the ride from [Christophe] Lemaire was perfect.
“The owners also deserve great credit for their ambition in coming here.
As a 3YO last year she raced well in this counter-clockwise direction over a mile [1600m] and she has a lot of natural speed, so we thought we could run well coming back in distance a little.
"Thanks also to Authority from Japan for winning the first race.
“That made me think we had the momentum and that Songline could also run well, and it is amazing that she did!,” said Hayashi.