Tenno Sho (Spring) (Group 1)

SECOND favourite Justin Palace captured his first Group 1 victory in this year’s Tenno Sho (Spring) held at the newly renovated Kyoto Racecourse last Sunday.

The son of Deep Impact (who won this in 2006), was unplaced in both the Japanese 2000 Guineas and Derby but came off a victory in the Group 2 Hanshin Daishoten in March.

It was trainer Haruki Sugiyama’s, who trained star filly Daring Tact, fifth JRA-Group 1 victory.

Christophe Lemaire registered his 44th JRA-Group 1 win following last year’s Arima Kinen title with Equinox.

“The horse was calm throughout the race and I was sure that he was going to win when we moved up behind Deep Bond and entered the straight. He has become a super horse over long distances, so I think he will do well in races like Arima Kinen in the future,” Lemaire told JRA reporters.

The Deep Impact colt gradually made headway, taking the final bend two-wide, surged out behind Deep Bond entering the straight, he overtook the eventual runner-up over a furlong out and pulled away for a two and a half-length victory.

Deep Bond who settled wide in seventh in front of the eventual winner early, held fast-closing Silver Sonic by a length to mark his third consecutive runner-up effort in this race.

Race favourite Titleholder, settling in second after rallying with African Gold for the lead, assumed command at the first corner but pulled up lame before the final corner.