Japanese star Blast Onepiece as short as 16-1 for Arc after Sapporo Kinen win

Blast Onepiece, trained in Japan by Masahiro Otake, was cut to as short as 16-1 for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after warming up with a neck victory over Sungrazer in the 1m2f Grade 2 Sapporo Kinen under Yuga Kawada.

The son of Harbinger, who runs in the same colours as the top-class Almond Eye, broke through at the highest level in the Grade 1 Arima Kinen in December and connections are now keen to take aim at the Arc.

Kawada said: "He beat his rivals with his sheer ability and I'm relieved we got the result we wanted. I think he'll go to the Arc with a chance and he'll definitely run better over further."

Fierement, who was favourite and a fast-finishing third under Christophe Lemaire, also features in the betting for the Qatar-backed showpiece and is a best-priced 40-1 to provide Japan with an elusive first victory in the race.

"He ran well. This Sapporo course is small and the distance was too short for him," said Lemaire.

"His spurt was a little late but he ran well at the straight and showed a good turn of foot. The Arc is his main target and he'll be suited by a step up in trip. I look forward to him running in it."

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