JANTAR Mantar (33/10) made a triumphant return to action in Sunday’s Yasuda Kinen, becoming the first NHK Mile Cup winner to follow up in the Tokyo Grade 1. It marked a third Grade 1 win overall for the Tomokazu Takano-trained entire, who previously held leading two-year-old colt status in Japan.

The Shadi Farm home-bred took on seasoned campaigners on return, beating the fast-finishing six-year-old Gaia Force by a length and a half, with dual Grade 1 winner and seven-year-old Soul Rush a neck further back in third. The win saw Jantar Mantar earn a free berth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Regular rider Yuga Kawada was back aboard the four-year-old on his first start since beating just one horse home in the Hong Kong Mile in December. On Sunday, Kawada reported: “The colt broke well and was in a good position in third to start, but then got a little over-excited as horses came from behind so I got a little worried.

“The colt just barely managed to contain himself as much as he could after that and I was still in doubt as to how he would respond at the stretch but, considering the circumstances, he really put in a good performance in the end and really exceeded my expectations as to how strong he is. He was unable race to his standard at all last time out, but I’m glad that he was able to show his true form today.”

Shadai Farm bought Jantar Mantar’s dam, a Grade 3 winner on the turf, at the Keeneland January Sale for $100,000. She was subsequently sent to Palace Malice, a dual Grade 1 winner on the dirt, who was standing at Three Chimneys Farm for $25,000 at the time. After his half-brother Justin Palace won the Grade 1 Tenno Sho, Palace Malice joined the Darley Japan roster.