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Some greats of the Japanese turf have won the Osaka Hai run at Hanshin on Sunday.
Kitasan Black was a grand stayer. Is the 2024 Osaka Hai (2000m) at Hanshin on Sunday going to show off another great stayer?
2024 OSAKA HAI - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Osaka Hai is a Grade 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for four year olds and above at Hanshin racecourse conducted by the Japan Racing Association.
The Osaka Hai is run over 2000m. It was first run in 1957 and was won by Homare Ichi.
The race has been known as the Sankei Osaka Hai until 2016 and the Ōsaka Cup.
When first run in 1957 it was over 1800m then it was increased to 1900m in 1966 before the race was run over its current distance for the first time in 1972.
The Ōsaka Hai was promoted from Grade 2 to Grade 1 in 2017.
The Osaka Hai was worth JPY432,000,000 in 2024.
Hanshin racecourse is a right handed course with the start at the top of the straight.
The four year olds have been the ones in the last 22 years with 12 winning.
A couple of elite Japanese favourites of late took it out. Orfevre won over the 2000m which was a great effort for a real stayer. He'd then head to France and took the Prix Foy before running into Treve in the Arc. He ended his career bolting away with the Arima Kinen.
The mighty Kitasan Black finished his final season which also culminated in a big Arima Kinen effort after winning the Osaka Hai.
Lei Papale caused a minor upset in 2021 remaining unbeaten after a totally dominant effort. She defeated some of the best around on resumption. She almost won again in 2022 when there was a major upset as Potager scored.
The most successful recent jockey is Yutaka Take with six since 1993.
Yasutoshi Ikee has three recent wins as a trainer.
Notable winners of the Osaka Hai include Jack D'Or (2023), Lei Papale (2021), Lucky Lilac (2020), Al Ain (2019), Suave Richard (2018), Kitasan Black (2017), Ambitious (2016), Kizuna (2014), Orfevre (2013), Daiwa Scarlet (2008), Meisho Samson (2007), Neo Universe (2004), Sunrise Pegasus (2002/2005), Air Groove (1998), Mejiro McQueen (1993), Tokai Teio (1992), Super Creek (1990) and Katsuragi Ace (1984).
The 2023 Osaka Hai was won by Jack D'Or from Stars On Earth and Danon The Kid.
