Deep Impact's son Ask Victor More digs deep to land thrilling Japanese St Leger

Ask Victor More, who had earned prize-money in the Satsuki Sho and been placed in the Japanese Derby, gained his first Group 1 victory on Sunday in a thrilling edition of the Kikuka Sho, Japan's answer to the St Leger.

Ask Victor More was settled in second position before hitting the front at the home turn and then holding on to win by a nose from the fast finishing Boldog Hos. Justin Palace was half a length back in third, with favourite Gala Force eighth of the 18 runners in the mile and seven furlongs Classic at Hanshin.

The winning time was a course record of 3min 2.40sec in what was the last leg of the Japanese Triple Crown contested without both the Satsuki Sho and Japanese Derby 1-2 (Geoglyph, Do Deuce and Equinox), the first time that had happened for 65 years.

The Japanese Derby winner Do Deuce ran in the Arc at Longchamp instead, while the Satsuki Sho winner Geoglyph and runner-up - as he was in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) - Equinox will run in the Tenno Sho Autumn at Tokyo next Sunday.

Ask Victor More, Deep Impact's son out of the Rainbow Quest Group 3-placed mare Kartica, was winning his fourth race on his ninth start, his previous highlight having come in March when victorious in the Group 2 Yayoi Sho Deep impact Kinen.

Winning rider Hironobu Tanabe said: "Today, we were in a position where we were supposed to be a target. I believed in his ability and moved to the front early, but he held on well. I didn't want to hold him but rather to run with his pace and rhythm, though it was a fast pace to keep up with.

Jockey Hironobu Tanabe after winning the Japanese St Leger on Ask Victor MoreCredit: Masakazu Takahashi

"I took the initiative to make him take the position and go for the win, so my legs were a bit high at the end, but I was wondering if I could manage to win the race at the finish."

He added: "He is still young and I think he's going to fight many strong rivals in the future, so I'd like him to continue to improve his ability and win more Group 1s."

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