NHK Mile Cup (Group 1)

OUTSIDER Panja Tower claimed his first Group 1 and second graded title in winning this year’s NHK Mile Cup, for three-year-olds over a mile.

The bay colt, who is among the first crop of Tower Of London, a 10-year-old son of Raven’s Pass, who won the 2019 Sprinters Stakes,

He won his first grade-race victory in the following Grade 2 Keio Hai Nisai Stakes but his two-year-old season ended with a disappointing 12th in the Group 1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes.

The bay colt provided trainer Shinsuke Hashiguchi with his second JRA-G1 success following the 2018 JBC Sprint with Graceful Leap, while jockey Kohei Matsuyama scored his sixth Group 1 title.

Panja Tower raced wide and mid-pack in the 18-horse field. Making the widest turn into the straight, the winner unleashed a fine closing kick to lead a furlong out and pulled away, narrowly holding off Magic Sands on the inside and Cerbiatto digging in between them in the final strides.

“We were able to sit in a good position but the rhythm was more of an important factor and I’m happy he ran steadily in a good rhythm today. The way he stretched incredibly today proves he has a bright future ahead of him,” jockey Kohei Matsuyama said in a post-race interview.

Third favourite Magic Sands settled second from the rear, and was steered to an inner route by Yutaka Take rounding the final corner to make his challenge.

The Kizuna colt launched the fastest drive over the last three furlongs from behind and almost overhauled the winner inside the last furlong but was a head short at the post in second.

Race favourite Admire Zoom dropped away to finish 14th.