Jockey Mickaelle Michel, making her first visit to Japan in four years, got off to a good start with consecutive wins in the first and second race of the Kawasaki racecourse.

Riding second favourite Holy Grail in the first race, as they entered the stretch, she got into her stride and pulled away from the rest of the field to win by 3.1 seconds. In the next race, the fourth favourite, KINARI, was chasing at the back of the field when she broke away from the pack in the third turn. She took the lead in the third turn but was able to sprint away from the pack and take the lead in the stretch.

She responded to the assembled reporters with a smile. More success is expected in the future.