Newly crowned NHK Mile Cup champion Meiner Ho O could throw his hat into the ring for the upcoming Japanese Derby after the colt became the top 3-year-old miler in the country on Sunday.

Meiner Ho O came out of nowhere to capture his first Grade 1 title by winning the NHK Mile Cup as the 10th choice in a full field of 18 in a time of 1 minute, 32.7 seconds on firm going at Tokyo Racecourse.

Meiner Ho O finished a neck in front of sixth choice Impulse Hero after a close stretch duel that also involved eighth pick Flamme de Gloire, who took third another neck behind.