Back in peak form after a testing autumn campaign, Croix du Nord will attempt to emulate the feats of his sire Kitasan Black when he contests the JPY651 million (approx. HK$31.9 million) G1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) at Kyoto Racecourse in Japan on Sunday (3 May).

A giant on the Japanese racing and breeding landscape, Kitasan Black won the Tenno Sho Spring in 2016 and 2017 – with his second victory in the staying showpiece following success in the G1 Osaka Hai (2000m).

Winner of the 2025 G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, 2400m), Croix du Nord returned to the winners’ stall with an impressive triumph in the 2026 Osaka Hai at Hanshin and now has the chance to match the accomplishment of Kitasan Black by completing the Osaka Hai-Tenno Sho Spring double in the same season.

With three Group 1 titles to his credit, Croix du Nord impressed trainer Takashi Saito when working over 1200m in 1m 22.2s (36.4s and 11.1s for final 600m and 200m) on the Ritto woodchip course on 22 April.

“Because we let him take it a little easy, there was a point where he got a bit too relaxed mentally, so we took him around the outside and asked him properly. He was a touch sluggish at one stage, but after that he moved well. I think this will bring him on,” said Saito, as his star charge prepares to venture beyond 2400m for the first time.

“Lately he can take hold a little before the first turn, so if he can settle into a smooth rhythm, that’s what I’d like to see.”

Facing 14 rivals on Sunday, Croix du Nord is expected to be tested most seriously by last year’s Tenno Sho Spring victor Redentor and rising star Admire Terra.

Redentor stormed to victory last season under Damian Lane but will be partnered by Christophe Lemaire this weekend, who is seeking his fourth win in the race after victories aboard Fierement (2019 & 2020) and Justin Palace (2023).

Sidelined with a leg fracture after his Tenno Sho Spring triumph a year ago, Redentor resumed in February and finished eighth in G2 Kyoto Kinen (2200m) behind June Take, who finished a six-length eighth in the HK$30 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) to Romantic Warrior at Sha Tin last Sunday (26 April).

Admire Terra will bid for a maiden Group 1 after record-breaking success in the G2 Hanshin Daishoten (3000m) at Hanshin on 22 March. Clocking 3m 02.00s, the grey thumped Aqua Vernal – who reopposes on Sunday – by three lengths to underline his rich potential.

“As a ‘prep’ race, it was a perfect 100 out of 100,” trainer Yasuo Tomomichi said.

“His races last autumn were a little disjointed, but I still felt he was improving. His work has actually been better this time. He looks stronger physically, and the depth through his chest tells you his heart and lung capacity are very high.”

Other leading contenders include Aqua Vernal and Tagano Dude.

The G1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) is carded as S3-1 and will be run at 2.40pm (Hong Kong Time) on Sunday, 3 May.

Photo: JRA