Admire Mars powers to Asahi Hai Futurity win to extend unbeaten record

Admire Mars claimed the Group 1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes by a two-length margin at Hanshin on Sunday to stretch his unbeaten record to four.

After shedding his maiden tag in June, the colt bagged an open-class win in the Chukyo Nisai Stakes a month later and went on to claim the Group 2 Daily Hai Nisai Stakes in October, all over a mile.

Sunday's success was trainer Yasuo Tomomichi’s tenth JRA Group 1 win following his Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) victory earlier this year with Wagnerian.

For jockey Mirco Demuro, it was a fourth Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes victory and he is now the joint winningmost rider in the race. This was his 27th JRA top-flight victory following his most recent triumph in the Champions Cup with Le Vent Se Leve two weeks earlier.

Admire Mars found another gear in the last half-furlong to pull away from Kurino Gaudi, with Gran Alegria and Christophe Lemaire in third.

Demuro said: "He showed a terrific turn of foot. He’s a smart colt and hates to lose so I’m looking forward to seeing how he improves next season."

Gran Alegria was a heavily backed favourite to become the first filly to win the race in 38 years. The Deep Impact filly broke smoothly, chased the pace in second, stubbornly disputed for the lead in mid-stretch but tired in the final strides and finished third.

Lemaire said: "She couldn't race smoothly like in the two previous races. She didn't have any experience of duelling in top-level races. When Mirco came from outside to just next to her at the top of the straight, she couldn't run well and went to the inside rail, and then I didn't get a response from her."

If you are interested in this, you might also like:

William Buick bags another big win as Stelvio lands Mile Championship at Kyoto

Almond Eye cut for Arc after smashing track record in Japan Cup