No. 13 pick A Shin Forward held off a charging pack in the final furlong to triumph in a course record at the Mile Championship on Sunday.

Jockey Yasunari Iwata made an emotional return after a rehabilitation layoff, crossing the finish in 1 minute, 31.8 seconds for his first Mile Championship victory at Kyoto Racecourse. Danon Yoyo and Gorski came second and third in a photo finish.

"I didn't think I would win a G-1 race so soon after coming back from injury," said Iwata, who suffered a fractured ankle and collarbone after coming off his horse in September.

"This is like a dream. I really had a hard time over the past two months but I had a lot of support from my family." he said.