Ushba Tesoro upsets Dubai-bound T O Keynes to strike in Kawasaki Kinen

Ushba Tesoro came home by half a length to deny the Dubai World Cup-bound T O Keynes in the Kawasaki Kinen, a race that has traditionally been used by Japanese dirt horses as a stepping stone to Dubai next month. 

Classed as a local Group 1, the six-year-old son of Orfevre was winning his eighth race from 28 career starts when denying T O Keynes at the line, with the third-placed New Monument four lengths behind. 

The Chiyoda Farm-bred Ushba Tesoro is out of King Kamehameha's winning daughter Millefeui Attach. 

Winning rider Kazuo Yokoyama said: "So far, I've had a lot of different races with Ushba Tesoro. I was a little worried about how the Kawasaki course would ride, but the fact they did well in that area gives me a lot of confidence going forward."

Trainer Noboru Takagi added: "I watched him thinking he could get into a good rhythm after a good start. I thought he was trapped inside but the jockey found a good course and let him go on. Dubai could be on the cards depending on how he comes out of the race as he's entered there."

T O Keynes's rider Matsuyama said of his mount: "He started well and raced after the leader. His condition was good and I chose to chase Light Warrior because he looked a likely challenger, but as a result, I made an error in judgment. There wasn't a big margin at the end, so the difference was painful. I'm sorry."