Daiwa Major colt Serifos shows Grade 1 credentials with Daily Hai Nisai strike

The unbeaten Serifos looks set for a first attempt at the top level after a narrow, but ultimately comfortable, success in the Grade 2 Daily Hai Nisai Stakes at Hanshin on Saturday.

The son of Daiwa Major is the second foal out of the Listed-winning Le Havre mare Sea Front - who sold to Haruya Yoshida for €135,000 at the 2016 Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale - and was retaining his flawless record after winning the Grade 3 Niigata Nisai Stakes in August when ridden by Yuga Kawada.

Serifos had been settled towards the rear, but quickened around the home turn to hit the front at the top of the straight, landing his second Graded race by a neck from second-favourite Sonnet Phrase, with Kawakita Reverie a length and three quarters back in third.

Yusuke Fujioka, who rode the two-year-old instead of Kawada - who is in quarantine after returning from the Breeders' Cup - said: "He was so strong but I rode him focusing on his rhythm. I moved early but he did it with ease because he had so much energy.

"He has so much ability because he came to win from the rear at a fast finishing race. I didn't think he would be beaten at the finish. He's not the finished article so I am looking forward to his future. He will improve for today."

Sonnet Phrase's rider Lemaire said: "She ran very well in her second race. She closed for home but the winner was already a Graded winner. I'm looking forward to her running next time out."

This race is a renowned prep for the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes next month at Hanshin, which is also run over a mile.

In 2018, Admire Mars - another son of Daiwa Major and the winner of the Hong Kong Mile in 2019 - won this race and the Asahi Hai. Serifos will aim to emulate the three-time Grade 1 winner on his next start.

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