'He's getting better and better' - top-level aims on the agenda for Nakayama Kinen winner Sixpence

Sixpence stepped up to land the Grade 2 Nakayama Kinen, an important prep race for the Grade 1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin next month, with a cosy defeat of a high-class field. 

Partnered by Christophe Lemaire, the Kizuna colt came home by a nose to defeat Ecoro Walz with favourite Soul Rush a length and a quarter back in third. 

It was the fifth win in six starts for the Northern Farm-bred colt and a third at Grade 2 level. Sixpence's only defeat came when ninth in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) last May before he bounced back to land the Mainichi Okan in October. He was due to run in the Mile Championship but was ruled out due to hoof inflammation and was rested for five months. 

Sixpence is out of American Grade 1 winner Finley'sluckycharm, a Twirling Candy mare from the family of fellow top-level scorer Pure Clan.

Sixpence after success in the Nakayama KinenCredit: Masakazu Takahashi

Lemaire said: "He used his turn of foot really well. I was worried today because he was 10kg overweight than the last race, but he responded really well. He was a bit stuck until the first turn but he settled down the far end, got his breath back, relaxed and ran well to the end. 

"I was a bit surprised he finished in record time but he's getting better and better. It was a really good field today, so maybe he can achieve results at the highest level."

The favourite's rider Taisei Danno commented: "I felt he was in great condition from the warm-up. The race went smoothly and I felt he could win but it just didn't happen."

Soul Rush is set to run in the Dubai Turf on Dubai World Cup night next month.

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