Top favorite Zenno Rob Roy mounted a late outside charge to give French jockey Olivier Peslier his second Emperor's Cup title in as many years at the autumn running of the Grace One race Sunday.
French jockey Olivier Peslier waves after riding Zenno Rob Roy to victory in the autumn Emperor's Cup on Sunday in Tokyo.
Zenno Rob Roy, who was in the middle of pack after the final turn, waited till the end of the homestretch at the 2,000-meter race at the Tokyo Racecourse to launch the run that took him to a 1 1/2 triumph over Dance in the Mood, crossing the wire in 1 minute, 58.9 seconds.
Admire Groove took third another 1 1/2 length back.
"I was very confident," said Peslier, who won the autumn Emperor's Cup with Symboli Kris S a year ago.
"All races come case by case. Even if you don't win, you always fight well and wait for the chance. Today the pace was not too fast, not too slow."
"I finished third at the Japan Cup twice with Symboli Kris S, so I want to win next," he said of the Nov. 28 international invitational.
Lohengrin set the pace for much of the race, only to falter down the final furlong and allow the lead to Dance in the Mood before Zenno Rob Roy took charge and drew clear late to win the 132 million yen prize money. Lohengrin finished fifth.
The 4-year-old winning colt, trained by Kazuo Fujisawa, paid out 340 yen on a 100 yen wager.