A maiden winner to close his juvenile season, Matenro Gale returned for his 3yo debut in Sunday's Gr3 Keisei Hai S. and nearly pulled out another triumph.

Leading home the 15-horse field at Nakayama Racecourse through the 2000m test, the Epiphaneia colt out of Desert Ride (Candy Ride) held off all but Green Energy, winner by a neck.

Matenro Gale showed an affinity for middle-distance as a 2yo, winning his 3rd start at Kyoto over the same distance as the Keisei Hai. Takeshi Yokoyama came three-wide with the colt turning for home and took command in mid-stretch.

Green Energy, also stepping up in class off a November maiden win, was well back early, angled out for the deciding furlong and gained the lead in the last strides.

First or 2nd in all four career starts, Matenro Gale is the 2nd foal bred in by Shimokobe Farm out of Sam-Son Farm's last Woodbine Oaks winner. Desert Ride is a granddaughter of blue hen and fellow Oaks winner Eye of the Sphynx (Smart Strike).

Shimokobe acquired Desert Ride for $725,000 at Keeneland's 2020 November Sale.