The Grade 1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) returns to Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday, May 24, with Star Anise positioned to become only the latest filly to complete the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies-Oka Sho-Oaks treble. The 2,400-metre test for three-year-old fillies carries a winner's purse of JPY150 million and will be contested at 15:40 local time as Race 11 on the card.

First run in 1938 at Hanshin before relocating to Tokyo in 1946, the race achieved international Grade 1 status in 2010. Loves Only You holds the track record at 2:22.8, set in 2019. Recent form trends favour favourites — six of the last ten have saluted, including Liberty Island in 2023 and Almond Eye in 2018. Training center results have split evenly between Ritto and Miho over the same period.

Twenty-two fillies have been nominated for a maximum field of 18, all carrying 55kg. Final declarations and barrier positions will be confirmed later this week.

Guineas heroine returns with strong fitness report

Star Anise enters off a break following her Oka Sho triumph, the Drefong filly having already banked two Grade 1s including last year's Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. Trainer Tomokazu Takano reported she returned from the farm in good order, noting a recent uphill gallop completed in the 58-second range. "She managed to win the first fillies' Classic without any problems," Takano said, adding that the stable is satisfied with her preparation despite the time between runs.

Alankar makes her Tokyo debut after closing strongly for fifth in the Oka Sho, a result trainer Takashi Saito attributed partly to bad luck. "She was a bit put off by the late loading of the filly in the outside gate," Saito explained. "Consequently, she found herself a long way back after the start, and it became a tough race for her." The filly has since returned from a farm break in what Saito described as very good condition. Yutaka Take, chasing his fourth Oaks victory, retains the mount.

Flora Stakes winner brings key trial form

Laughterlines arrives as a live contender after taking the Grade 2 Sankei Sports Sho Flora Stakes over 2,000 metres at Tokyo in April. Trainer Michihiro Ogasa praised her concentration and finishing effort in that win, and she has since completed her customary break at Northern Farm Tenei before returning to Miho on May 14. "Everything seems as usual with her," Ogasa confirmed. The Al Ain filly will be ridden by Damian Lane.

Dream Core brings a perfect Tokyo record — all three career wins have come at the track — but must rebound from a ninth in the Oka Sho. Trainer Kiyoshi Hagiwara believes the Kizuna filly is better suited to left-handed racing and the step up in distance. "A little more distance looks to be fine for her too, and she's been working well since returning from the farm," Hagiwara said. Christophe Lemaire, himself a four-time Oaks winner, takes the ride.

Alternative form lines converge

Juryoku Pierrot bypassed the Oka Sho to win a listed 2,000-metre race at Hanshin on the same day, her second consecutive victory. The Orfevre filly has returned from a short break "looking bigger and more developed," according to trainer Ryo Terashima, who added that her recent performance suggests she will handle Sunday's trip. Seina Imamura, with just one JRA graded stakes win to her credit, picks up a significant ride.

Smart Priere took the Grade 3 Flower Cup at Nakayama over 1,800 metres in March after several placings, including a sixth in the Grade 2 Tulip Sho. Trainer Ryuji Okubo expressed confidence in the distance, citing her dam's participation in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup as evidence of stamina credentials. "Jockey Yusuke Hara did a great job in getting her to win," Okubo said of the Flower Cup result, acknowledging concerns about the Nakayama layout and race tempo.

Sweet Happiness encountered traffic problems when 13th in the Oka Sho and steps beyond a mile for the first time. Assistant trainer Hitoshi Nakai suggested the Real Impact filly may be better suited to longer trips. "The jockey said he didn't get a smooth run on her last time, so that's probably the reason that she ran the way she did," Nakai noted, adding that she will also face her first left-handed assignment and a long journey to the track.

Kitasan Black pair offer intriguing dimension

Trainer Yuichi Fukunaga has nominated two Kitasan Black fillies in Ange de Joie and Long Tall Sally. Ange de Joie remains unbeaten through two starts, most recently taking an 1,800-metre contest at Hanshin in March. The engagement of Mirai Iwata for Ange de Joie and Keita Tosaki for Long Tall Sally carries weight given their early-career status.

The second fillies' Classic will test whether Guineas form translates over an additional 800 metres, or whether fresher legs from alternative paths can exploit the stamina demands of Tokyo's 2,400-metre examination.