Ria Amelia has secured a spot in the Grade 1 Shuka Sho at Kyoto on October 18 after landing the Sho Rose Stakes at Chukyo on Sunday.
The Mitsumasa Nakauchida-trained filly went into the race at Chukyo as the third favourite and ran out the two-length winner of the Grade 2 event.
The three-year-old has now secured a place in the Shuka Sho and jockey Yuga Kawada believes she has a real chance of claiming a big victory.
Daring Tact, the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) winner, is widely considered as the favourite for the Shuka Sho but Kawada feels Ria Amelia is a contender.
“I'm very happy she showed her true colours, and she had shown up well in training after her summer rest,” said Kawada, as reported by the Racing Post.
“She's always had a lot of potential but I couldn't make use of it in the spring races. I'm sure she has the ability to challenge Daring Tact, and we'll do our best in the Shuka Sho.”
