Fifth-favorite Stelvio earned his first Grade 1 victory on Sunday at Kyoto Racecourse after capturing the Mile Championship, the second race in the Japan Autumn International series.
The three-year-old colt, ridden by Norwegian-born William Buick, kept pace with the frontrunners in the 1,600-meter turf race but broke ahead in the final stretch alongside defending champion Persian Knight.
As the pack closed in, Stelvio crossed the line in 1 minute, 33.3 seconds and edged Persian Knight into second place by a head. Fourth-favorite Al Ain, piloted by Yuga Kawada, finished third.