Danburite wins first Graded race in American Jockey Club Cup

Report: Japan, Sunday
Nakayama: American Jockey Club Cup (Grade 2) 1m3f, turf, 4yo+

Second favourite Danburite (Hidetaka Otonashi/Mirco Demuro) landed a first Graded success in the American Jockey Club Cup, setting up a tilt at top-level races in the spring.

Danburite travelled well through the contest, heading long-time leader Meiner Milano in the home straight and holding off the challenge of Mikki Swallow to win by two lengths.

The four-year-old, who boasts placed form at Grade 1 level – including a third in last year's Japanese 2,000 Guineas – impressed Demuro.

Demuro said: "He could win a big race as he has a lot of ability.

"He broke well today, settled nicely in behind Meiner Milano and found plenty in the straight – he won well."

Also on Sunday
Chukyo: Tokai Stakes (Grade 2) 1m1f, dirt, 4yo+

T M Jinsoku (Kazuyoshi Kihara/Yoshihiro Furukawa) made all to justify favouritism in the Grade 2 Tokai Stakes.

Last year's Champions Cup runner-up T M Jinsoku defeated Cosmo Canadian by three-quarters of a length and is likely to be aimed at the Grade 1 February Stakes at Tokyo next month.

Furukawa said: "He was very good today and I'm looking forward to him this year.

"He was a little keen out in front but he had his rivals covered and it was a good win."

Sunday results