Installed as second favorite despite two unsuccessful Tennno Sho (Spring) starts in 2013 and 2014 in which he finished fifth and seventh, respectfully, Gold Ship responded by claiming his sixth career G1 title. His victory, which followed his third consecutive victory in the Hanshin Daishoten last March, raises high hopes towards his next target in becoming the first horse in JRA history to claim three consecutive G1 victories (flat racing) in the coming Takarazuka Kinen in June. Trainer Naosuke Sugai reached a milestone of 10 JRA-G1 victories with the win while jockey Norihiro Yokoyama won his 24th title—the latest being in last year’s Takarazuka Kinen for both. Slow into the pace after refusing to load and having to be blindfolded into the gate, the Stay Gold entire trailed well off the pace set by Courir Kaiser. The field that had formed a long line got closer as the field passed the first 1,000 meters at a moderate pace and the leader eased the pace even more for a breather. Veteran jockey Norihiro Yokoyama, who had partnered Gold Ship for most of the 2014 season after the gray’s flop in his second Tenno Sho (Spring) including their victory in the Takarazuka Kinen, rode him for the first time since their unsuccessful overseas challenge in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and was careful to take his time to set his difficult mount into the mood as he urged the talented stayer to make an early move along the outside. Already among the front group going downhill past the third corner and taking a smart turn into the center lane for home and in full gear, Gold Ship moved up alongside Curren Mirotic who had taken command turning for home and looked poised to win until being hooked in the last 50 meters, then held off Fame Game who came charging along the outside for a neck victory. “I was thinking of going front if he started well which obviously was not the case. From there on I just concentrated on following the pace and careful not to turn him off. In the straight, he really showed his stamina and perseverance. He’s often said to be unsuited to Kyoto Racecourse but I think it’s just that he’s not a handy type of horse and needs a skilled rider to guide him,” commented Norihiro Yokoyama。 Fame Game was rated between horses in mid-field, was caught behind rivals as the field increased speed before the third corner and met traffic again turning for home, having to angle out for a clear path. He showed a powerful turn of foot to just miss by a neck. Curren Mirotic chased the leader in second or third along the rails for most of the trip, overtook the tired leader 600 meters out and into the homestretch, and ran on gamely up until the last strides for third. Race favorite Kizuna sat well behind and trailed in last after being taken over by Gold Ship soon after the first 1,000 meter-call. Followed the eventual winner towards the front group along the backstretch but failed to improve after reaching mid-pack while turning wide for home.