Buoyant Royal connections target ambitious Melbourne raid

By Masakazu Takahashi - 

T O Royal put himself in line for an ambitious tilt at the Melbourne Cup with an impresive victory in the G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) at Kyoto on Sunday.

The five-year-old, well prepared by trainer Inao Okada, quickened up nicely for a stayer on the home turn into the straight, readily putting lengths between himself and his rivals with regular rider Yuji Hishida.

The duo comfortably held the fast finishing Blow The Horn by two lengths, while Tenno Sho Spring regular, Deep Bond, was a further half-of-a-length back in third. 

The second favourite, Japanese St Leger winner Durezza, was only 15th but was later found to be suffering from mild heat stroke.

However, the successful six-year-old son of Leontes, out of Manhattan Cafe's winning mare Meisho Ohi, completed a hat-trick with this stylish success; a win which followed victory in February's two mile G3 and March's G2 Hanshin Daishoten for owner Kimiya Kozasa and trainer Okada. 

This is the first G1 triumph for his sire Leontes who is the son of the Japanese and American Oaks winner Cesario and half brother to the successful sire Epiphaneia

AN AMAZING HORSE
Delighted winning jockey Hishida, who was winning his first G1, said: "I'm truly the happiest I've ever been in my life. I am filled with gratitude to everyone around me.

“There was a long blank period, and I think it was tough for him as a racehorse, but he has grown through that period. I don't know what my common sense would tell me, but I think he's an amazing horse.
“When I saw this race at this racetrack 20 years ago, I dreamed of becoming a jockey. Today, I rode with the feeling that I was ‘watching me’ at that time."
Owner Kimiya Kozasa added: "I thought it might have been a little early to quicken at the last corner, but he was strong. 

“His jockey said that he could still run 1000m! I'm really glad that the trainer and jockey were able to win a G1 for the first time. He rides well and I hope they continue as a pair until (T O Royal) retires. There are quarantine issues, but I hope we can go to the Melbourne Cup in November with him.”