Moore denied as Persian Knight gets up in Mile Championship

Report: Japan, Sunday

Kyoto: The Mile Championship (Grade 1) | 1m | 3yo+

Another top-flight success on the world stage looked at the mercy of Ryan Moore at Kyoto on Sunday, only for his mount Air Spinel to be overhauled virtually on the line by Persian Knight (Yasutoshi Ikee/Mirco Demuro) in a pulsating finish to the Mile Championship.

Having made what appeared a race-winning move on Air Spinel approaching the last furlong, Moore seemed on course for victory but Persian Knight found an impressive late change of gear.

Drawn 18 of 18, the three-year-old son of Harbinger crept into contention from well off the pace before charging down the home straight to get up by a nose.

"We were a little worried about the furthest draw but he always breaks well so we weren't that concerned," said jockey Mirco Demuro. "The colt was responding really well, especially around the third corner.

"Being still a three-year-old he seemed a bit nervous entering the lane but ran really well to the wire. He's a great horse."

Persian Knight was a good second in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) earlier in the year and managed to turn the tables on Air Spinel, having finished fifth behind the Fuji Stakes winner last month.

Favourite Isla Bonita, runner-up in a controversial running 12 months ago, came home in fifth.

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