Super Mare Vodka Intoxicates her rivals

THE brilliant Vodka (Katushiko Sumii/Yutaka Take) recorded her sixth Grade 1 victory when completing back-to-back successes in the Yasuda Kinen.

Japan's race of the season lived up to its billing as Vodka shot through a gap after being trapped in a pocket and grabbed last year's Derby winner Deep Sky to score by three-quarters of a length.

In an action-packed renewal of the 195 million yen (£1.25m) event, the final leg of the Asian Mile Challenge, odds-on favourite Vodka was settled on the inside in midfield, by Yutaka Take, behind a strong pace set by sprinter Laurel Guerreiro and leading miler Kongo Rikishio.

Challenges came thick and fast as they turned for home, when Hong Kong visitors Armada and Sight Winner were produced, and both Super Hornet and Company threatened on the outside.

However, it was last year's Tokyo Yushun winner Deep Sky - also runner-up in the Japan Cup - who hit the front a furlong from home, looking likely to win as his rivals bunched up behind.

Smile Jack was among the worst impeded, almost coming down, while Take was in all sorts of trouble searching for a run on Vodka before the five-year-old squeezed through a gap between Sight Winner and Super Hornet 100 yards from home.

With a powerful turn of foot, the mare cut down Deep Sky, with outsider Faridat a length away third, having been last on the home turn.

Vodka, a daughterof Tanino Gimlet, has now won five Grade 1s in Tokyo, including a victory over the males in the Tokyo Yushun two years ago.

She is the highest-earning female in Japanese racing history.

I would be Intoxicated if I owned this one,thanks Hibby.