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The Japanese St Leger 2019 has gone to World Premiere, ridden by Yutaka Take. There was only a neck in it as Satono Lux was in the fight right to the line with favourite Velox in third.

Fourth home was a very rough roughie in Divine Force who went off on 164.8. 

The filly Melody Lane was next home and proved she could take it to the boys – she's only little but obviously has a huge heart.  She put in the equal fastest final 600m. 

It was a good weekend for Japanese runners in other countries as Deidre ran a splendid third in the Champion Stakes at Ascot and may now go to Hong Kong before returning to Japan.  In Melbourne Mer de Glace won the Caulfield Cup and in Sydney the Japanese bred Hush Writer (x Rulership) won the St Leger.  He's one of Gai Waterhouse's shopping trip to Japan last year – another is Wolfe (x Novellist) who was also in the Caulfield Cup but just ran out of steam at the end.