Italian jockey Mirco Demuro guided fifth pick Grand Prix Boss to victory on Sunday at the Asahi Cup Futurity Stakes, the de facto yearend championship for Japanese thoroughbred racing in the 2-year-olds division.
Demuro steered Grand Prix Boss to his first Grade One win with a late charge, beating fourth favorite Real Impact by three quarters of a length. Libertas was third while top favorite Sadamu Patek followed in fourth.
Osumi Easy made most of the early running at Nakayama Racecourse, but faded down the final furlong and was overtaken by Real Impact on the inside.
But Grand Prix Boss, who appeared to obstruct another horse coming round the final bend, timed his charge to perfection, bursting through the middle to cross the line in a time of 1 minute, 33.9 seconds.
"I tried to do my best to win a Grade One race this year," said Demuro. "I am glad but at the same time I was worried as I made a little bit of a bad move (on the final bend)."
"I am so happy and I hope I am not given a penalty for next week."