Legendary jockey Yutaka Take guides Do Deuce to breathtaking last-to-first victory in Tenno Sho

Legendary jockey Yutaka Take lifted his latest Grade 1 when guiding Do Deuce to a striking last-to-first victory in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) at Tokyo.

The 55-year-old rider settled his mount towards the back of the field with just a handful of runners behind him as Ho Ho Biscuits led the runners away from the home straight the first time. 

Take was level with the backmarker on the final turn but did not panic, manoeuvring Do Deuce to the outside of the pack and asking him to quicken passing the 400m pole.

Last year's Arima Kinen winner, who beat Equinox in the 2022 Japanese Derby, produced a sparkling turn of foot to mow down the front-runner, who was also overtaken by Tastiera close home. The final winning distance was a length and a quarter.

It was a seventh Tenno Sho (Autumn) for Take, with his last victory coming aboard Kitasan Black in 2017. He said: "I wanted to show the true ability and strength of Do Deuce today, so I was really happy when he was able to display his usual powerful kick in the last stretch and crossed the line first. 

"The pace was not very fast and I was relying on his strong finishing speed, so I didn’t want to make any unnecessary moves in the first half of the race and settled him second from last."

The race contained several stars, including the favourite Liberty Island, who trailed in 13th of the 15 runners. 

Liberty Island's rider Yuga Kawada said: "She responded well around the home turn, but this is the first time she has disappointed." 

Do Deuce contested the 2022 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but finished a disappointing 19th, beating only Mostahdaf as Alpinista charged through the mud to score. 

Read these next:

Yutaka Take: a legend in search of a golden finale in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 

Legendary rider Yutaka Take partners 4,500th JRA winner - and has designs on even greater milestone 

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