THE first opportunity for two-year-old colts to capture Group 1 honours is the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes run over 10 furlongs at Hanshin Racecourse, a track currently celebrating its 70th anniversary.

Drawn in stall six, Salios and Ryan Moore broke sharply to sit just behind the pace. Entering the home straight, Moore threw down his challenge toward the centre of the track before switching back to the rail. Under a typically strong drive, Salios began to stretch clear in the final 100 metres to win by two and half lengths.