Just A Way
After a four-month summer break, Gentildonna returned to contest Japan's three most important autumn races, beginning with the Tenno Sho on 2 November. Ridden for the first time by Keita Tosaki she finished second of the eighteen runners, beaten three quarters of a length Spielberg with the favourite Isla Bonita taking third ahead of the unusually named Love Is Boo Shet. On 3 November she started favourite against seventeen opponents as she attempted to win the Japan Cup for and unprecedented third time. Ridden again by Moore she finished fourth behind Epiphaneia, Just A Way and Spielberg. The Arima Kinen over 2500 metres at Nakayama Racecourse on 28 December attracted its customary strong field, and Gentildonna started fourth in the betting behind Gold Ship, Epiphaneia and Just A Way with the other contenders including Denim And Ruby, One And Only (Tokyo Yushun), Meisho Mambo, Fenomeno and Verxina. Verxina was the early leader before Epiphaneia took the lead 400 metres from the finish but Gentildonna made steady progress in the straight and made her bid for victory in the last 200 metres. She gained the advantage and held off several late challenges to win by three quarters of a length from the three-year-old colt To The World, with Gold Ship, Just A Way, Epiphaneia, Lachesis and Last Impact close behind.