Champion Japanese filly Gentildonna has survived a protest to win the Japan Cup by a nose from Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe runner-up Orfevre.
The pair came together in the final stages of the 2400m race with a nose separating them on the line but after a stewards’ inquiry, the filly was declared the winner.
Gentildonna has survived a protest to win the Japan Cup - Photo by Peeo Ploff
Rulership, ridden by Australian Craig Williams, ran on well for third, 2-1/2 lengths away, after coming out of the barriers last.
European Melbourne Cup runners Red Cadeaux, Jakkalberry and Mount Athos finished eighth, 11th and 12th respectively with Arc winner Solemia 13th of the 17 runners.
Gentildonna was ridden by Yasunari Iwata who steered Delta Blues to a famous Japanese victory in the 2006 Melbourne Cup.
Earlier in the day, Hong Kong-based Australian jockey Zac Purton rode Satona Panther to victory to seal victory in the World Jockeys’ Challenge held over two days in Tokyo.