The Victoria Mile (1600m) is one of just two open age Group One races for fillies and mares in Japan, alongside the Queen Elizabeth II Cup over 2200m in November.

It gives the top Japanese mares and a few fillies the chance against their own sex and has been won by some of the top Japanese mares including Almond Eye, Vodka, Gran Alegria and fan favourite Sodashi.

The favourite for this year will likely be Embroidery who was a determined winner of the Hai Hanishin Himba Stakes first up as the $1.80 favourite.

By Admire Mars, she clearly didn't stay the 2400m of the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) as a filly and keeping her to the mile looks a smart play by the Kazutomo Mori stable.

Queen's Walk is racing in fine form, a multiple Group 2 winner who was beaten just 0.6 lengths in the Group 2 Kinko Sho (2000m) as favourite on resumption, now coming back to the mile.

She ran second to top filly Ascoli Piceno in this race last year as a $7.50 hope and a repeat of that performance goes close, although it is worth noting Embroidery started favourite and beat an out of form Ascoli Piceno at Hanshin.

Like Embroidery, Kamunyak is a Classic winner having taken the Japanese Oaks last year. She ran behind that horse at Hanshin but was only beaten a neck and has to be considered a strong chance once more.

That said, Embroidery has the overall head-to-head record of 2-1, and those wins have come over 1600m and 2000m while Kamunyak was successful at 2400m.

Clashing at a mile again on Sunday gives the natural edge to Embroidery and Christoph Lemaire, who also has the benefit of tactical speed to settle near the front of the pack.

Embroidery is a deserving favourite and looks a good bet to add a third Group One to her name on Sunday.

Photo: JRA