3 minute read
The Japanese Derby meeting in Tokyo provided a mix of elation and disappointment for Australian jockey Damian Lane.
Lane reached a milestone when he rode his 1000th career winner at the feature meeting but it was tempered by his unplaced finish in the Derby on the hot favourite Saturnalia.
The previously unbeaten Saturnalia started a $1.55 favourite but could finish only fourth after a luckless passage.
Saturnalia bounded in the air at the start and settled well back in field before he was forced to come widest on the home turn.
He was left with too much ground to make up with the classic going to the 1501/1 outsider Roger Barows in a huge upset.
Roger Barows, ridden by Suguru Hamanka, showed plenty of courage to hold off Danon Kingly by a neck and give the champion sire Deep Impact the Derby quinella. Roger Barows is the fifth son of Deep Impact to win the Japanese Derby.
Lane was compensated to some extent when he won the G2 Meguro Kinen on Look Twice in course record time for the 2400m to bring up his 1000th win.
Lane has another four weeks before he completes his two month riding stint in Japan.
3, with the 25 year-old already having tasted great success on the stint and hoping to again return at a similar time next year.
