Japanese Derby winner Makahiki 16/1 for Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Monday 30 May 2016 12:46, UK
Makahiki is 16/1 for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with Sky Bet after winning the Japanese Derby on Sunday.
The Deep Impact colt was sent off as third favourite for the Tokyo Yushun in front of a crowd of close to 140,000 and sealed a third successive success and a first at Group One level.
He broke well from his inside draw and raced in midfield with market rival Satono Diamond at the head of affairs.
Jockey Yuga Kawada moved to the outside for a clear run approaching the final turn but found some traffic problems at the top of the straight.
The gap finally appeared around a furlong and a half from home and Makahiki showed a taking turn of foot to hit the front at the one pole but he was pushed all the way to the line by Satono Diamond who only lost out in a photo finish.
Odds-on-favorite Dee Majesty, who had beaten Makahiki in the Satsuki Sho (2,000 Guineas), was caught wide on the final two turns but finished well to claim third, just half a length off the runner-up.
"The colt broke smoothly and I was able to race him in good position as planned," said Kawada.
"I gradually advanced him while marking Satono Diamond and he stretched really well after threading through a small opening.
"The moment we crossed the wire, I felt that we were a margin in front but I was overwhelmed with joy when the photo-finish result came out. I'm just happy to be able to ride in the Derby and feel very fortunate to have been able to achieve the best result."
Initially a 25/1 chance, Makahiki was cut to 16s by Sky Bet for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly in October with compatriot A Shin Hikari heading the betting at 8/1 following his impressive win in the Prix d'Ispahan.
