Lugal (Jpn)

Let go at odds of 28-1 while looking to collect his first victory at the highest level, Lugal (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) came from just off the pace to take Sunday's G1 Sprinter Stakes at Nakayama. Cruising in a ground-saving spot just behind a free-running Puro Magic (Jpn) (Asia Express {Jpn}) with Win Greatest (Jpn) (Secret Hero {Jpn}) within striking distance, Lugal overtook the latter straightening for home and closed the leader's advantage passing the 200-meter mark. Hitting the front late, the 4-year-old had enough left in reserve to hold off...

The consistent Lugal (Jpn), by the much lamented reigning Japanese Champion Sire Duramente (Jpn), has never contested a Group 1 race, but that is all about to change in Sunday's G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo over 1200 metres. Bearing the burden of favouritism in this fully subscribed 18-strong affair, the 4-year-old will leave from stall six. Never worse than fourth in his past 10 trips to the post, Lugal ran second in the G3 Keihan Hai to Toshin Macau (Jpn) (Big Arthur {Jpn}) in his sophomore finale in November, with...