Gillies Ball Delivers Stunning Upset in Fillies' Revue, Emerges as New Oka Sho Contender
On March 7, at Hanshin Racecourse, the 60th Hochi Hai Fillies' Revue (GII, 1400m turf) saw a stunning come-from-behind victory by 10th-favorite Gillies Ball, marking her first graded stakes win. Partnered with jockey Koji Nishizuka, the Epiphaneia filly showcased her full potential, signaling the emergence of a new contender in the blooming Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) championship race. The race began with an intense pace. Gillies Ball, recovering from a slightly slow start, conserved her energy with a perfectly executed ride, staying on the innermost rail without losing ground. As they entered the final straight, she burst from the pack, unleashing a powerful late surge to leave her rivals behind. She crossed the finish line in a time of 1 minute, 20.6 seconds. Second place went to second-favorite Saint Antoine, followed by fourth-favorite I Need You in third, with all three securing priority entry to the Oka Sho. This unexpected victory by the 10th-favorite horse surprised ho...