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posted on 1 June, 2020

Sixth Japanese Derby winner sired by DEEP IMPACT in nine years.

Emerging star Contrail (3 c Deep Impact -Rhodochrosite by Unbridled’s Song) scored an emphatic win in the Tokyo Yushun (Gr 1,2400m), the Japanese Derby, yesterday. The Yoshito Yahagi-trained Contrail went into the race having won all four of his starts including the Satsuki Sho (Gr 1, 2000m), Japan’s 2,000 Guineas equivalent, and the Hopeful Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) as a two-year-old. Ridden by Yuichi Fukunaga, 1.4 favourite Contrail settled handy in what was a muddling-run race, stretching clear down the long Tokyo straight for a commanding threelength win over second-elect Salios (Heart’s Cry); Weltreisende (Dream Journey) finished third, almost five lengths from the winner. Contrail may head to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr1, 2400m) in October, with Yahagi saying that the owner’s biggest dream was to win the French feature. If not, he may attempt to join his sire Deep Impact (Sunday Silence) as a winner of the Japanese Triple Crown by taking the Kikuka Sho (Gr 1, 3000m), the Japanese St Leger, that same month. Image-Contrail

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St James Timeform

Says of King of Comedy :

King Of Comedy put in an outstanding effort to finish second beaten a neck by Champion 3YO Miler in France Circus Maximus and half a length ahead of Champion 3YO Colt in Europe Too Darn Hot.

RaceNet - www.racenet.com.au/profiles/horse/press-statement

Says of Press Statement :

Given that it has won at Group One level and has amassed $1,832,275 in career earnings, Press Statement is regarded as an elite class of racehorse.

James Mcdonald - Jockey

Says of Sweynesse :

"He was awesome. We got back in a slowly run race so his (sectional) splits
would have been amazing."

Kerrin Mcevoy - Jockey

Says of Sweynesse :

"He’s been pleasing us at home but we were worried about the ground and also he was meeting a good field first-up, I had to ride him a bit steady from the gate but he was electric when I asked him to go."
"He’s a nice, big colt with a lovely relaxed attitude and a very good turn of foot."

Michael Cox - Former South China Morning Post and now The Age racing writer saw Staphanos in the flesh on the track and in his impressive morning workouts

Says of Staphanos :

"Staphanos is a horse of substance, mixing toughness and a no-nonsense temperament in a career in which he raced and beat some of the best Japan had to offer. What a coup by Luigi Muollo and Novara Park to secure this stallion and what an incredible opportunity for New Zealand breeders to send mares to such a highly credentialed son of Deep Impact. He has the looks, pedigree and racetrack performances to be a hit at stud. He could be a real game changer and just the type of stallion New Zealand needs."

Hideaki Fujiwara - Champion Trainer Japan

Says of Staphanos :

“Staphanos had outstanding ability showing speed and stamina. He was mentally and physically tough. I expect his progeny to be the same!”