3 minute read

They were the only two in the race who really handled the uphill finish at Tokyo

At the 400m mark there were many more in contention but in the last 100m it came down to just two and Shahryar got the nose in front right on the line to inflict a first defeat on Efforia.  Both horses broke the race record and third home Stella Veloce 40.2 also ran the fastest final 600, but from further back in the field.

Great Magician was a nose away in fourth and the filly Satono Reinas ran fifth.  She had a good chance but the last 200m tough for her.  And Titleholder much the same – finished 6th although got a good break at the 400m.

Shahryar was having his fourth start and had already set a new record in winning the Mainichi Hai at Hanshin.  He's a full brother to Al Ain.

One horse missing from the lineup was Danon The Kid who is out injured.  Fingers crossed he can return.

The crowd was just under 5,000 which is such a shame when it is usually over 100,000.

The Meguro Kinen provided another winner for Gold Ship as our tip the 4yo filly Win Kitos won.  She had a big weight advantage and made the most of it, finishing 2 lengths ahead of Heat on Beat with outsider Admire Alba third on 170.7.