THE first the colts’ classic of the year, the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), was won impressively by Efforia at Nakayama last Sunday.

Sixteen runners went to post for the 10-furlong contest, with €1.1 million on offer. Efforia, trained by Yuichi Shikato, was last seen on the racetrack in the Group 3 Kyoto News Hai, historically a reliable classic trial. The unbeaten colt had sauntered to his first group win over 1800 metres at Tokyo, however, substantial late betting support for Group 1 winner Danon The Kid saw the latter go off as favourite on Sunday.