The 87th edition of the Group 1 Japanese Derby will be run and won in Tokyo on Sunday and a typically strong field of stayers has been confirmed.
The Tokyo Yushun, or Japanese Derby as its more widely known the world over has been won by some of Japan and indeed the world’s best horses since its inception in 1932, including names like King Kamehameha and Deep Impact since the turn of the century.
I’ve had a look through the form, and you can find my 2020 Japanese Derby tips below.
Suggested Bets
- 3 Units straight out Contrail
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below
Contrail is yet to taste anything but success, is already a two-time Group 1 winner and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish of the Japanese Derby.
Unsurprisingly a son of Deep Impact, Contrail immediately stamped himself as a horse to follow when an easy winner over 1800m on debut at Hanshin in September and only improved with racing and as the bar was raised, taking out the Group 3 Hai Nisai and Group 1 Hopeful Stakes at his next two starts.
There was a lot to like about the way he hit the line to win the Group 1 Satsuki Sho over 2000m at Nakayama when resuming this time and while he’s untested at the 2400m of the Derby, he’ll take good improvement into the race and looks like he’ll get the trip.
Salios is another Group 1 winner set to step out in this year’s Japanese Derby and he also has claims on winning.
The talented colt has recorded three race wins and a close-up second from his four career starts so far, winning both the Group 3 Saudi Arabia Royal Cup and the Group 1 Futurity Stakes during his debut preparation.
He resumed this time for second behind Contrail when piloted by Damian Lane last month and is another horse that will take good improvement for the effort.
He’s by Heart’s Cry, which suggests that he’ll relish getting out to the mile and a half.
Another Deep Impact colt, Satono Flag has recorded three dominant wins from his five career starts and looks up to a bold showing in the Japanese Derby.
Satono Flag resumed earlier than most of his key rivals in Saturday’s race and the fitness edge could prove the difference.
He couldn’t have been more impressive when crossing the line three lengths in the clear over 2000m at Nakayama when resuming and won the Group 2 Deep Impact Kinen with ease before finishing fifth in the Satsuki Sho last time out.
Legendary hoop Yutaka Take looks set to jump back into the saddle and that will be a big bonus for this horse.
He was well beaten by Contrail and Salios, but Galore Creek ran a nice third over the 200m of the Satsuki Sho and looks to be at peak fitness for the Derby.
The son of Kinshasa No Kiseki tuned up with a fair effort for fourth over 2200m at Nakayama in March, progressing to a lovely win in the Group 2 Spring Stakes in what was his only other start this time in.
He is another horse who looks like he’ll get the trip and he has reportedly come through his last run in terrific order.