THERE was a dramatic finish to the Group 1 sprint, the Takamatsunomiya Kinen, at Chukyo Racecourse last Sunday when Kurino Gaudi was first past the post but then disqualified and placed fourth for drifting in and hampering the challenging Diatonic who finished fourth. The original distances were a nose, a nose and a head.

The stewards’ ruling gave longshot Mozu Superflare her first Group 1 victory after the five-year-old American-bred Speightstown mare led for most of the way through the 1,200 meters (about six furlongs) on yielding turf. She was joined on the outside by Kurino Gaudi in the last yards, and he just got the nod but drifting in, he shut off Diatonic, who was gaining between him and Mozu Superflare forcing Diatonic’s jockey to take back.