Titleholder 16-1 for Arc after shattering course record in Takarazuka Kinen

Sunday: Takarazuka Kinen, Hanshin

Titleholder routed his rivals in emphatic fashion to win the Takarazuka Kinen and set a new course record.

The four-year-old powered clear under Kazuo Yokoyama to land the Grade 1 contest in 2.09.7, a new record over 1m3f at Hanshin.

It was the third top-level success and an effortless step back in trip for Titleholder, who claimed the Japanese St Leger last year and the 2m Tenno Sho on his latest start.

After making all in May's Tenno Sho, Titleholder was not allowed to dictate the early gallop, with Panthalassa applying pace pressure under Yukata Yoshida.

Titleholder stalked the leader and struck for the home entering the straight, stylishly pulling clear to strike by two lengths from Hishi Iguazu and Daring Tact.

He returned to the winner's enclosure a popular winner, having been at the head of the public vote which determines ten of the 18 runners in the All-Star contest.

Yokoyama said: "He had gotten many votes and I wasn't nervous, but I thought I should get a good result. This was my fourth race with Titleholder and I knew how the colt could run in good rhythm.

"The pace was fast but I wasn't concerned because he still had enough power left at the straight. He's still in the process of maturing and I think he'll get better going forward."

Kazuo Yokoyama celebrates after success on TitleholderCredit: Masakazu Takahashi

With over 191,000 votes, Titleholder became the most voted for Takarazuka Kinen runner in history and the first horse to land the Tenno Sho-Takarazuka Kinen double in the same year since Deep Impact in 2006.

It extended Titleholder's unbeaten record at Hanshin and completed a third win on the bounce this season under Yokoyama.

The contest is a win-and-you're-in race for the Breeders' Cup Turf on November 5 and also strengthened hopes of a maiden success for Japan in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, for which Titleholder is a general 16-1 chance.

Although he is one of four Japanese entries in the Irish Champion Stakes on September 10 – with fellow Takarazuka Kinen runners Panthalassa and Stay Foolish also engaged – trainer Toru Kurita is firmly focused on Longchamp.

"I've been told by the owner that the colt will go to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe if he wins, so we're planning to send him straight to France with Kazuo," Kurita said.

Last year's winning jockey Christophe Lemaire was unable to defend his title after Authority was withdrawn at the gates on veterinary advice.

Full result from the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen

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