Japan Oaks now on Pearl Code's radar

Trained by Mitsumasa Nakauchida for Pearl Bloodstock, and ridden by leading Japanese jockey Hiroyuki Uchida, Pearl Code, a daughter of Victoire Pisa, beat nine rivals, putting a length and a quarter between herself and runner-up Jealousy, a daughter of King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Harbinger. The same distance away in third was Sakuntala.

Pearl Code was bought as a foal by David Redvers Bloodstock and Sheikh Fahad at the JRHA Select Sale in July 2013. Nakuchida hoped to train her for the Oka Sho (Japan 1,000 Guineas) over 1,600 metres at Hanshin on April 10, However, after she failed to get into a race last week that option was put to one side and she was targeted at today's event over 2,000 metres (10 furlongs). She clearly relished the trip, and the plan now is to aim for an Oaks trial - the big race itself, the Yushun Himba, takes place over 2,400 metres in Tokyo on May 22.