Enterprise pays off for I Need You with G2 Fillies' Revue third

I Need You earned some valuable G2 Black Type and secured her place in next month’s G1 Oka Sho with a valiant third in the Hochi Hai Fillies' Revue at Hanshin, Japan, on Saturday, 7 March.

Stepping up to Graded company on the back of two Kyoto Listed appearances, the Fine Needle homebred was smartly into her stride and pressed Lasting Snow for the early lead before striding on into a three-quarter length advantage after a furlong and a half.

I Need You increased her lead to two lengths at the top of the straight and the Keiji Yoshimura-trained filly responded well for Atsuya Nishimura as she continued to hold her 17 rivals at bay well into the final furlong.

Ghillies' Ball emerged from the chasing pack to head I Need You with less than half a furlong remaining before going clear, with Saint Antoine pipping the Godolphin runner for second on the line in a blanket finish for the places.

Harry Sweeney, President of Godolphin in Japan, said: “Job done! The aim today was to finish in the first three as the first three finishers are guaranteed starting berths in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas) on April 12th. She was well liked last year in Castle Park, our pre-training facility, and won nicely on debut but showed keenness in her next few starts. Making the running like she did today and in her penultimate start seems to work for her.

“She will have an easy week or two now before tuning up again for the first Classic of the year. She is by Fine Needle, who was a Champion sprinter, and raced over seven furlongs today, but we feel that a mile might suit her better.”