Exciting Finish for Mile

The Mile Championship was won in an exciting photo-finish by Hat Trick, whose French rider Olivier Peslier drove home the 4-year-old colt just in time to defeat DAIWA MAJOR by the smallest official margin of a nose. Another one length behind, RHEIN KRAFT gained third spot followed by DANCE IN THE MOOD fourth and BALANCE OF GAME fifth. DURANDAL(favorite) finished a disappointing eighth in the field which was reduced to 17 due to RIKIAI TAIKAN’s scratch.

Switching HAT TRICK to a trouble-free outside passage at the turn for home, Peslier began to storm past the rivals. On front end, another French rider Christophe Lemaire, on DAIWA MAJOR, worked hard, and inside 200 meters from home, he finally pulled away from DANCE IN THE MOOD and BALANCE OF GAME to take a clear lead. As HAT TRICK quickly picked up grounds, the gap was closing fast. Excitement hit a highest point when the two French men got home side by side. After a photo investigation, the winner went to Peslier’s HAT TRICK. The final time for the Kyoto 1,600-meter turf test was 1 minute 32.1 seconds.

“I am very pleased to win the g1 race with the Sumii-trained horse.”, said Peslier, who has now ridden on the 12th JRA grade one winner since 2000 season.

This was the biggest win for HAT TRICK, by Sunday Silence out of the Lost Code mare Tricky Code, who has now won 7 in 12 starts for trainer Katsuhiko Sumii and owner Carrot Farm. The first prize brought his career earnings to 231+ million yen. Oiwake Farm in Oiwaka, Hokkaido is a breeder of the 4-year-old colt.