Leontes, a colt by King Kamehameha, staked his claim for champion two-year-old honours with a powerful last to first win the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity at Hanshin on Sunday.

A half-brother to Japan Cup winner Epiphaneia, Leontes swept around the field under jockey Mirco Demuro to beat the favourite Air Spinel by three quarters of a length with four lengths to third placed Shadow Approach.

Leontes was having only his second career start, having made an impressive winning debut on November 22.

The win gave Demuro his fourth G1 win of the year.

“I had been told that this colt was powerful and he certainly showed that when I rode him in training,” Demuro said.

“t was his first time over a mile but he responded and really stretched well.

“He’s got a lot to look forward to in his 3-year-old season. This really has been a great year for me.”