First home Grade 1 win for Hong Kong Sprint winner Danon Smash

Last year's Hong Kong Sprint winner Danon Smash deservedly landed his first Grade 1 on home soil on Sunday when taking the Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo in Japan.

The six-year-old raced in midfield and emerged out of the pack up the straight to hold the favourite Resistencia by a neck, with third favourite Indy Champ a further neck back in third.

The son of Lord Kanaloa is out of the American-bred Hard Spun mare Spinning Wildcat, who won ten times from 21 starts, including twice at the top level in addition to six further Graded races. Lord Kanaloa won this race in 2013.

Winning rider Yuga Kawada said: "He won the Grade 1 in Hong Kong last year but hadn't won one in Japan so I'm delighted he won today.

"I thought the rainfall was important. I didn't have any plan and let him go where he wanted to go. I was able to race in a good rhythm, keeping an eye on the favourite in front.

"His response was so good at the last turn, and in the long duel with the favourite he showed his spirit until the end. I was disappointed with last year's result [finishing tenth], so I'm delighted he did it today."

Trainer Takayuki Yasuda added: "Today's ground was bad but I trusted Yuga in riding him perfectly and he did it. He's entered for the Hong Kong Chairman's Prize but if it comes too soon I will freshen him up."

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