So, you’ve hit a wall. Your horse girl is peaking, the stats look decent, and then the New Zealand Trophy (NZT) hits your schedule like a freight train. It’s one of those GII races in Uma Musume Pretty Derby that feels deceptively simple until it ruins your entire run.
People often overlook it because it’s not a G1. It’s just a "stepping stone" race, right? Wrong.
The New Zealand Trophy is a Grade II turf race held at Nakayama Racecourse. It covers 1600 meters (the Mile distance). In the game, it’s a critical piece of the puzzle for anyone aiming for the NHK Mile Cup or trying to fill out their G2 trophy room. But Nakayama is a beast. The track layout is notorious for its sharp turns and that brutal uphill slope right before the finish line. If your Uma Musume doesn't have the "Power" stat to handle that climb, she’s going to sink into the turf.
The Nakayama Trap in the New Zealand Trophy
Nakayama is weird. Unlike Tokyo, which is wide and rewards raw speed and stamina, Nakayama is tight. It’s technical.
When you enter the Uma Musume New Zealand Trophy, you’re dealing with a right-handed track. This is the first thing that trips up players. If you’ve spent all your skill points on "Left-Handed" or "Tokyo Specialist," you’re basically throwing points into a black hole for this race. You need "Right-Handed" (右回り) or "Nakayama Specialist" (中山レース場○) to really gain an edge here.
And that hill. Gosh, that hill.
The final straight at Nakayama features a steep rise. In game terms, this translates to a massive drain on your stamina and a heavy reliance on the Power stat. You’ve probably seen it happen: your girl is leading by two lengths, she hits the 200m mark, and suddenly her legs turn to lead. That’s the Nakayama slope. If you haven't bumped your Power to at least a decent C or B rank by the time the NZT rolls around in April (Junior Year/Classic Year), you’re in trouble.
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Why the Timing of the NZT Sucks
The New Zealand Trophy takes place in April (Early April, specifically).
This is the "Classic" season. For many characters, this is the exact same time they are supposed to be prepping for the Satsuki Sho (the first leg of the Triple Crown). If your character is a miler, the NZT is your go-to. But if you're trying to build a versatile runner who can handle both miles and medium distances, the scheduling is a nightmare.
You have to choose.
Do you go for the prestige of the Satsuki Sho, or do you take the safer, Mile-focused path of the NZT to qualify for the NHK Mile Cup? Most players choose based on the "Fans" requirement. The NZT gives a solid chunk of fans, which is vital for upgrading your Unique Skill later in the year. Honestly, if you're struggling to hit that fan threshold before the end of the Classic year, the New Zealand Trophy is a lifesaver. It’s less competitive than the G1s but gives enough of a boost to keep your training on track.
Common Misconceptions About the New Zealand Trophy
I see this all the time on forums and Discord servers: "My speed is 600, why did I lose a G2?"
Speed isn't everything. Especially not here.
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- Intelligence Matters: Because Nakayama is so crowded and the turns are sharp, your Uma Musume needs high Intelligence (Kashikosa) to find a good path. If she gets "blocked" (kakakari), she’s done.
- Stamina is Secretly Important: It’s "only" a mile, but the uphill climb makes it feel like an 1800m or 2000m race. Don't neglect your blue stamina recovery skills.
- The Inner Path: Nakayama's inner track is narrow. If your runner is a "Between" (Saashi) or "Chaser" (Oikomi) type, they often get stuck behind a wall of slower horses.
Real Examples from the Meta
Take a character like El Condor Pasa or Grass Wonder. They both have the potential to dominate the Mile. However, their base stats often lean heavily toward Speed. If you take a "Speed-only" build into the New Zealand Trophy, you'll find that AI-controlled rivals like Seiun Sky or even some generic mobs will out-muscle you on that final slope.
I’ve had runs where my El Condor Pasa had an 'S' in Speed but only a 'D+' in Power. She came in 4th. 4th! In a G2! It’s embarrassing.
The fix is usually simple: use your "Power" training sessions more aggressively in the weeks leading up to April. Or, better yet, inherit some Power stars from your parents. You want that "Acceleration" to kick in right as the slope starts. Skills like "Ascending Dragon" or simple "Accelerators" are gold here.
How to Win the New Zealand Trophy Consistently
If you want to stop losing this specific race, you need a checklist.
First, check your distance aptitude. Make sure your girl is at least an 'A' in Mile. If she’s a 'B', use inheritance to bump it up. The speed penalty for a 'B' aptitude is small, but in a tight race like the NZT, it’s the difference between a trophy and a "Good Effort" ribbon.
Second, look at your skills. Don't just dump points into everything. Look for "Right-Handed," "Spring Uma Musume," and "Front Runner" (if applicable). Since the NZT is in April, "Spring Uma Musume" (春ウマ娘○) provides a nice speed boost that works for this race and the upcoming NHK Mile.
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Third, the strategy. If your Power is low, try switching your strategy to "Runner" (逃げ) just for this race. Leading from the front helps avoid the "blocked" status that plagues the Nakayama turns. It’s a bit of a cheese strategy, but it works when your stats aren't quite where they should be.
Moving Beyond the Trophy
Once you clear the New Zealand Trophy, the path opens up. It’s the primary gateway to the NHK Mile Cup, which is a G1. If you win the NZT, you're almost guaranteed a spot.
But don't get cocky.
The NHK Mile is held at Tokyo. Tokyo is the opposite of Nakayama. It’s long, it’s flat, and it’s fast. The build that won you the NZT might actually struggle at Tokyo because the "Power" requirement drops while the "Stamina/Speed" requirement skyrockets. It’s a balancing act. That’s the beauty—and the frustration—of Uma Musume.
To master the New Zealand Trophy, you have to respect the track. Don't treat it like a generic mile race. Treat it like a technical challenge. Focus on Power, grab a few Nakayama-specific skills, and watch that uphill slope become your best friend instead of your worst enemy.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Run
To ensure a victory in the New Zealand Trophy, prioritize these three things in your training schedule. Start by ensuring your Power stat is at least 350-400 by the beginning of April in your Classic year; this handles the Nakayama slope. Next, prioritize "Right-Handed" or "Spring Uma Musume" skills during your skill point allocation phases in the Junior year. Finally, if your Uma Musume is a "Between" or "Chaser" type, consider temporary "Runner" or "Leader" tactics if her Intelligence stat is below 300 to avoid getting trapped on the tight Nakayama turns.