Grass Wonder

In November he was moved up in class for the Grade II Keisei Hai Sansai Stakes over the same course and distance and won from Machikane Sanshiro and Courir Cyclone.

[8] On his final start of the season, Grass Wonder was one of fifteen colts to contest Japan's most prestigious race for juveniles, the Asahi Hai Sansai Stakes over 1600 metres at Nakayama on 7 December.

He was beaten a nose by his rival with the pair finishing two and a half lengths clear of Seeking The Pearl (Prix Maurice de Gheest) in third place.

Grass Wonder returned to middle distances for the Takarazuka Kinen over 2200 metres at Hanshin Racecourse on 11 July and was matched for the first time against Special Week a colt who had won the Tokyo Yushun in 1998 and the spring edition of the Tenno Sho.

[12] After a break of almost three months, Grass Wonder returned for the Grade II Mainichi Okan over 1800 metres at Tokyo on 10 October and won from Meisho Odo and Embrasser Moi.

His main opponents in the fourteen runner field included Mejiro Bright, Narita Top Road, Phalaenopsis, Special Week, Stay Gold, Symboli Indy (NHK Mile Cup) and T M Opera O (Satsuki Sho).

The race produced a dramatic finish with the lead changing hand several times in the last 200 metres, but Grass Wonder prevailed by a nose and a neck from Special Week and T M Opera O with Tsurumaru Tsuyoshi half a length away in fourth.

He finished sixth behind Leo Ryuho in the Grade II Nikkei Sho over 2500 metres at Nakayama on 26 March and then ran unplaced behind the filly Stinger in the Keio Hai Spring Cup.

Mitsuhiro Ogata, who trained Grass Wonder throughout his racing career
Grass Wonder in retirement, 2002