The spotlight of Japanese racing will fall on the prestigious Hanshin Racecourse on Sunday, 21 June, where a varied 12-race card will be highlighted by The Shirasagi Stakes (G3) and supported by several valuable supporting contests. The programme will cater for runners ranging from two-year-old newcomers to seasoned older performers across distances from 1400 metres to 2400 metres, with prize money headed by the 78,220,000 Yen Group 3 feature.
Hanshin Race Cards 21 June
Opening proceedings will feature Race 1 at 9:55am, a 1400-metre contest for three-year-olds carrying prize money of 11,050,000 Yen. The race will provide an early opportunity for developing runners to secure a breakthrough success. Race 2 will follow at 10:30am over 1600 metres for three-year-olds, again worth 11,050,000 Yen, and will continue the opening phase of the programme with another important test for emerging talent.
The early programme will continue with Race 3 at 11:00am, a three-year-old event over 1800 metres carrying a purse of 11,050,000 Yen. The contest will place greater emphasis on stamina than the opening races. Race 4 at 11:30am will then stretch competitors over 2400 metres for the same age group and prize fund, presenting the longest and most demanding challenge on the card.
Attention will then turn to the juvenile division in Race 5 at 12:20pm. Run over 1600 metres for two-year-olds, the race will offer prize money of 14,880,000 Yen and will provide an early glimpse of promising youngsters. Race 6 at 12:50pm will return to three-year-old company over 1400 metres for a purse of 11,050,000 Yen, maintaining the competitive nature of the midday programme.
The afternoon schedule will gather momentum through Race 7 at 1:20pm, a 1400-metre contest for three-year-olds and upward worth 15,620,000 Yen. The race will attract a mix of progressive younger horses and experienced campaigners. Race 8 at 1:50pm will be run over 2000 metres for the same age category and prize money, providing middle-distance performers with an important opportunity to enhance their records.
Feature-race support will arrive with Race 9 – the Takasago Tokubetsu, scheduled for 2:20pm. Open to three-year-olds and upward, the 2000-metre contest will carry prize money of 30,080,000 Yen and will serve as one of the afternoon’s principal supporting events. Race 10 – the Himeji Stakes, will follow at 2:55pm over 1800 metres for three-year-olds and upward with a purse of 35,570,000 Yen, adding further quality to the latter stages of the card.
The spotlight will firmly fall on Race 11 – The Shirasagi Stakes (G3), at 3:30pm. Open to three-year-olds and older horses, the feature will be contested over 1600 metres and will offer prize money of 78,220,000 Yen. As the richest race on the programme, the Group 3 contest will bring together a quality field of established performers and improving runners seeking a notable success at Hanshin.
Bringing the meeting to a close will be Race 12 at 4:15pm, a contest for three-year-olds and upward over 1800 metres worth 22,690,000 Yen. The final race will provide a fitting conclusion to a programme featuring opportunities for every division of the sport.
The Hanshin meeting on 21 June will feature 12 races headed by The Shirasagi Stakes (G3), which will offer prize money of 77,300,000 Yen over 1600 metres. Supporting highlights will include the Takasago Tokubetsu and Himeji Stakes, while races throughout the afternoon will cater for juveniles, three-year-olds and older performers.
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