Danon Premium enhances Classic claims with Futurity Stakes romp

Report: Japan

Hanshin: Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (Grade 1) 1m, 2yo, turf

Danon Premium (Mitsumasa Nakauchida/ YugaKawada) extended his unbeaten record with a comfortable three-and-a-half-length success in the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, boosting his Classic claims for next year.

The son of Deep Impact – who equalled the race's record time since it was moved to Hanshin in 2014 – broke sharply from the inside stall and raced in third for much of the way before taking up the running with a couple of furlongs to run and stretching clear to win in impressive style.

Winning rider Kawada said: “He’s a smart horse. He was a bit keen to go today but I believed in his strength and urged him to go when I saw a clear path entering the lane. He stretched and accelerated really well, just as we had expected.

"We need to extend the distance of his races in order for him to win the Classics next year but I think he will continue to develop well toward this goal."

Favourite Danon Premium was chased home by Stelvio, while Tower Of London was a neck further back in third.

Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes result