Wagnerian has claimed the Group 1 Japan Derby (Tokyo Yushun) at Tokyo on Sunday in front of almost 120,000 people.
It was a dominant display under the circumstances with the son of Deep Impact producing a half length victory over brave frontrunner Epoca D’oro despite travelling wide with minimal cover throughout.
The Yasuo Tomomichi-trained Wagnerian continued to find in the straight, hitting the front with 50m remaining from a wall of horses, just three quarters of a length splitting the next five runners across the line.
One of those was even money favourite Danon Premium who ran sixth returning from a stone bruise which resulted in the colt missing the Satsuki Show (Japanese 2000 Guineas).
The Mitsumasa Nakauchida-trained colt enjoyed a cosy run in transit, third on the fence.
While clear space emerged at the top of the straight, Danon Premium was unable to capitalise and proceeded to race in restricted room for the remainder of the straight.
Adding a touch of Australiana to the event, Hugh Bowman partnered outsider Etario into a closing fourth.
Wagnerian provided his owner/breeder Kaneko Makoto his fourth Japan Derby winner, following in the footsteps of King Kamehameha (2004), Deep Impact (2005) and Makahiki (2006) who was also trained by Yasuo Tomomichi.
