Japanese gallopers Isla Bonita and Logotype are both out of the 2016 Queen Elizabeth Stakes after they failed to fire in the Group 2 The Nakayama Kinen (1800m) on February 28.
Isla Bonita and Logotype will not take on the likes of Criterion in the 2016 edition of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart
Isla Bonita went into the The Nakayama Kinen on the third line of betting, but he was settled towards the tail of the field after missing the start and was never able to get into the race before tiring late to finish more than sixth lengths behind the impressive win Duramente.
The Fuji Kiseki entire has not recorded a race win since he took out the Group 2 Asahuhau St. Lite Kinen (2200m) at Nigata in September of 2014, but he produced impressive efforts in the Group 2 Mainichi Okan (1800m), Group 1 Tenno Sho (2000m) and Group 1 The Mile Championship (1600m), with a number of Japanese racing experts labelling his The Nakayama Kinen performance as the worst of his racing career to date.
Logotype was settled in an ideal position just behind the leaders in the early stages of the Nakayama Kinen and he looked as though he would be a factor in the finish at the 200 metre mark, but he tired very badly in the final stages and could finish no better than seventh.
The Loihengrin entire has not recorded a race win since he beat the likes of Epiphaneia and Fame Game to take out the Group 1 Japanese 2000 Guineas (2000m) in 2013, but he typically does not run a bad race and more was expected of him in the Nakayama Kinen.
Tosen Reve was also included in the 2016 Queen Elizabeth Stakes nominations, but his connections also aborted a trip to Australia after he failed to fire in the Group 2 Kyoto Kinen (2200m) on February 14.
The only other Japanese horse in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes nomination is Tosen Stardom, who finished a credible fifth behind Criterion in the $4 million event last year.
Tosen Stardom returned to winning form when he took out the Cassiopeia Stakes (1800m) on November 1 and he was far from disgraced when he finished seventh behind Maurice in the Mile Championship, but he produced flat performances in the Group 3 Nippon Sho Kyoto Kimpai (1600m) on January 5 and the Group 3 Tokyo Shimbun Hai (1600m) on February 7.
Winx is currently available at 2016 Queen Elizabeth Stakes odds of $2.10 with Ladbrokes and she is a dominant favourite from Criterion ($8), Storm The Stars ($14), Press Statement ($13), First Seal ($15), Mongolian Khan ($18) and Preferment ($18).
