Aussie ace Damian Lane warms up for Royal Ascot date with Japanese Derby glory on Tastiera

Star Australian jockey Damian Lane produced a masterful ride on Tastiera as the pair scooped Classic glory in the Japanese Derby – the Tokyo Yushun – on Sunday. 

Runner-up in the Japanese 2,000 Guineas on his previous start in April, the Noriyuki Hori-trained colt held on gamely to win by a neck under Lane.

Settled in fifth after breaking from stall 12, Tastiera reeled in longtime leader Pax Ottomanica, who had built up a huge lead, in the straight before his mount fended off the challenge of his 2,000 Guineas conqueror Sol Oriens.

Tastiera's win scuppered the chances of the Japanese Triple Crown, which only eight horses have won, being landed this year. It was a second success in the Tokyo Yushun for Hori following Duramente's win in 2015, while Tastiera became the first top-level winner for his sire Sotono Crown, who had finished third in the Tokyo Yushun in 2015..

This was Tastiera's third victory on his fifth start, and they also include the Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho Deep Impact Kinen, the trial for the 2,000 Guineas in which he was runner-up to Sol Oriens. 

‟It’s very special and a great feeling, especially for Hori Stables and [owners] Carrot Farm, with whom I’ve had success with before," said Lane. "It was definitely the best position to be in and credit must go to the horse, he’s so versatile. He could jump quickly and was able to put himself in a good position and relax. It's just a great sense of achievement."

Damian Lane was all smiles at Tokyo and has a big month to look forward to including Royal AscotCredit: Masakazu Takahashi

It was a fifth top-level success in Japan for Lane, who has been booked for the big-race ride on The Astrologist at Royal Ascot in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes next month.

Trainer Hori said: "When this horse first came to the stables, I thought he was a very good horse, but I never imagined he would win the Derby. In that sense, he gained experience and stepped up step by step, which led to this result. I trusted the jockey for the race.

“I would like to see how things are going next week and discuss the future with the owner."

Sol Oriens's rider Takeshi Yokoyama said: "Sorry for not being able to respond to the favourite. I was worried about the first time of riding him counter-clockwise, and he showed a tendency of falling inward in terms of balance. I think he needs to become an older horse. The pace was slower than I imagined, so I think that his usual sharpness has been lost, and that it's an advantage for the winner.”

There was drama at the start when outsider Dura Erede stumbled coming out of the gates and unseated rider Ryusei Sakai. There was also a sad postscript to the race when leading fancy Skilfing, who finished last of the 17 runners to complete, beaten 20 lengths, collapsed and died after the line. The Japanese Racing Association confirmed it was due to acute heart failure.

Skilfing's rider Christophe Lemaire said: "When I turned into the straight, I felt he was unresponsive and slowed down. I'm sorry about what has happened."

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