Harp Star was trimmed up in markets for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after beating fellow Arc contender Gold Ship

Both were having their prep runs for Europe's premier middle-distance flat race on October 5 and neither harmed their chances of becoming Japan's first winner of the race.

Settled towards the rear of the 14-strong field early, Kawada guided the daughter of Deep Impact to the front rounding the home turn before holding fast-finishing favourite Gold Ship, with a further five lengths back to Whale Capture in third.

"I'm relieved to get the result," admitted the winning rider. "Her condition was not 100 per cent [with the Arc in mind] and this was not her favourite course with the short home straight but she broke well and found a nice rhythm in the race. Hopefully things will go smoothly after this."

Gold Ship ranges from 14-1 to 20-1 for the Arc and his trainer Naosuke Sugai felt he lost little in defeat, having conceded weight to the winner.

Sugai said: "It [defeat] was because of the five-kilogram [11lb] weight difference. I think he showed his strength and it was no disgrace to fail."

Japan also has impressive Dubai Duty Free winner Just A Way, a general 8-1 chance for the Arc, bound for Paris on the first weekend in October.