Distance Stretch Out Should Help Kamunyak in QEII Cup

The feature race this coming weekend in Japan is the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) over 2,200 meters (about 1 3/8 miles) Nov. 15 at Kyoto Racecourse for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward. It is the championship race for fillies and mares, which selects the Queen of the Turf in Japan. It is an exciting renewal as the field includes three winners of the Japanese Oaks (G1). The likely favorite is Kaneko Makoto's Kamunyak (JPN), winner of the 2025 Japanese Oaks. The 4-year-old filly by Black Tide (JPN) ran in the mile division earlier this year and finished second in both the Hanshin Himba Stakes (G2) April 11 at Hanshin Racecourse and the Victoria Mile (G1) May 17 at Tokyo Racecourse. Those forms are regarded highly as the distance of 1,600 meters is likely too short for Kamunyak, who won the Japanese Oaks over 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles). After having a summer break of five months, Kamunyak appeared at Tokyo Oct. 11 and won the Ireland Trophy (G2) over 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles). Statistics support Kamunyak, as four of the last 10 Queen Elizabeth II winners made their previous start in the Ireland Trophy. Another factor is jockey Yuga Kawada, who could have selected three-time graded-stakes winner Queens Walk (JPN) and instead picked Kamunyak.