NHK Mile Cup (Group 1)

THE favourite Rodeo Drive won this year’s NHK Mile Cup to become the top three-year-old miler, and in a time just outside of the race record.

The son of Saturnalia has two wins to his name before marking a second in his previous start in the Group 2 New Zealand Trophy in April.

Riding under a short-term license since April, jockey Damian Lane scored his seventh JRA-Group 1 victory. Winning trainer Tetsuhide Tsuji, who opened his yard in 2021, was winning his first Group 1 title.

Breaking from the second-farthest stall in a field of 18, Rodeo Drive raced fourth from the rear while Ask Ikigomi rushed up to sit a couple of lengths in front.

Yu Pharoah headed the field into the stretch but gradually ran out of steam and third favourite Diamond Knot kicked into gear to take command at the furlong pole.

Ask Ikigomi, who with Rodeo Drive in close pursuit, had turned into the straight near the rear, unleashed a remarkable stretch drive from the outside, and after picking off their rivals one by one, it was Rodeo Drive who dug in to put his head at the wire to win by a nostril.

Placed third in last year’s Group 1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, Admire Quads sat wide before launched his bid to join the rally for the lead at the furlong pole. Putting away Diamond Knot, the colt was soon overtaken by the fast-closing Ask Ikigomi, then Rodeo Drive, but secured third place.

“I’m relieved to get the best out of the horse. I’m happy with his speed - his best trade is his closing speed, he was able to close off really strongly today and sustained a strong run to the finish. The colt is improving all the time.

“Now he has performed very well at group one level, I expect him to race at this level for some time,” said Damian Lane after the race.