In a highly unpredictable handicap race, a remarkably sharp finishing kick cut through the chaotic field. The victory went to sixth favourite Off Trail, ridden by Hironobu Tanabe, who surged from the outside to claim the first graded stakes title in Sunday's G3 Radio Nikkei Sho.

The lone filly, Meisho Yozora, carrying the lightest weight of 51 kg, set a fast pace from the front. Contrary to Tanabe's plan to "ride the race's flow smoothly," Tanabe's mount, Off Trail, broke poorly from the gate and trailed the field for much of the race. Navigating wide around the turns and even wider in the stretch, Off Trail unleashed a blistering late charge to overtake his rivals in dramatic fashion.

Tanabe, delighted with his local graded stakes title, reflected with a smile, "The start didn't go well, but it turned out to be beneficial as we avoided getting caught in the fast pace. This race has broadened our options. The taste of victory is sweet."

The winning time of 1:45.3 matched the course record. Second place went to fourth favourite Sirius Colt, with fifth favourite Yamanin Ad Hoc finishing third. The race favourite, Satono Strasse, failed to make an impact in the stretch and finished ninth.