Star Anise prepares for Sprinters Stakes sprint challenge

Three-year-old filly Star Anise is preparing to challenge older horses in the upcoming Sprinters Stakes, a G1 sprint race held at Nakayama Racecourse. After winning the Oka Sho earlier this year, the filly is making a significant transition from longer distances to the 1200m sprint format.

During recent training sessions at the Ritto Training Center, Star Anise recorded the fastest time of the day, clocking 11.8 seconds for the final furlong. Trainer Takano expressed confidence in the horse's ability to handle the distance reduction, noting that her pedigree suggests a natural aptitude for 1200m sprints.

Star Anise will be partnered with jockey Christophe Lemaire for this race. The field includes several high-profile competitors, such as the NHK Mile Cup winner Panjatar, and the defending champion Win Carnelian. The race serves as a critical test of whether the filly can successfully adapt her speed and stamina to the sprint category.