'There is still room for improvement' - Asahi Hai St Lite Kinen winner Urban Chic set for Japanese Leger tilt

Second favourite Urban Chic came home strongly under Christophe Lemaire to land his first Graded success in the Asahi Hai St Lite Kinen (Japanese St Leger Trial) by a comfortable length and three-quarters at Nakayama on Monday. 

Positioned in sixth early on in the Group 2 contest, he chased the leaders at the top of the home straight to prevail from favourite Cosmo Kuranda, an Al Ain colt who was second in the Group 1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) in April. 

The well-bred Suave Richard colt is out of the winning Harbinger mare Edgy Style, whose grandmother is the breed-shaping Wind In Her Hair, the dam of the phenomenal Deep Impact.

Urban Chic: set for a tilt at the Japanese St Leger nextCredit: Masakazu Takahashi

He was posting his third win from six starts for owner Silk Racing and trainer Ryo Takei, while he was second in the Group 3 Keisei Hai won by subsequent Group 1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner Danon Decile. He also placed fourth in the Japanese 2,000 Guineas and 11th in the Japanese Derby in the spring. 

Lemaire said: "It was good. He ran in the Derby in the spring, so we thought he was a good horse and I was confident today. Now in the autumn, he's grown up a bit, so I thought he'd definitely be able to run well. In the straight, his response was good and as soon as I took him outside at the straight, he immediately changed gear. 

"He might be even better over a longer trip. He looks like going to get better, so I think he has a chance in the Kikuka Sho."

Takei added: "Although he's a highly capable horse, he was quite keen and was not able to show his full potential. He has steadily grown mentally and has found a balance with his body. There is still room for improvement, so I'm looking forward to what's to come. I have a number of plans for his next run, including the Kikuka Sho." 

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