ALMOND Eye extended her winning sequence with a record-breaking performance in the Grade 1 Japan Cup at Tokyo on Sunday, setting up the prospect on a potental international campaign in 2019.

The Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown heroine was taking on her elders for the first time but the 2/5 favourite galloped to a one-and-three-quarter-length win under Christophe Lemaire, from the front-running Kiseki, to keep the near £2 million prize at home for a 13th year in succession.

In doing so, the first-crop daughter of champion Lord Kanaloa smashed the race record by a second and a half, clocking 2:20.6 for the 2400 metres on fast ground.

The previous best was set by the Luca Cumani-trained Alkaased in 2005, when he beat Heart's Cry by a nose on firm ground.

British raider Thundering Blue (Fran Berry) finished 10th on Sunday, one place ahead of Aidan O’Brien’s Capri (Ryan Moore). Neither ever looked dangerous.

Last year’s victor, Cheval Grand, was fourth.

David Menuisier was undeterred in defeat, and still full of admiration for Thundering Blue, who has risen from the handicapping ranks to win twice in group company this year, taking him to the top level for his last two international starts.

“Very proud of #ThunderingBlue in the Japan Cup today at Tokyo racecourse,” Menuisier wrote on Twitter.

“Ground was far too quick to his liking, worked well on it two days ago but dried out dramatically since. Despite, was trying his best to the line.”

Thundering Blue has taken his French trainer from their Sussex base, via a midsummer Group 2 win at York and then third to Roaring Lion on his return to the Knavesmire for the Juddmonte International, to Group 3 victory in the Stockholm Cup at Bro Park and then second spot in Grade 1 Woodbine’s Pattison Canadian International Stakes last month.

Almond Eye's ante-post for next year's Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was cut to 8/1 after this impressive victory, and she was also introduced as a 7/4 favourite, with Paddy Power, for the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March.