The French master Christophe Lemaire guided pre-race favourite Skilfing to victory on Saturday in the G2 Aoba Sho, otherwise known as the Japanese Derby trial. After jumping out of the gate on terms, the pair positioned themselves in mid-field and caught up to Hearts Concerto inside the final furlong, the latter having drawn away from the field in the home stretch.

Timur finished third, two lengths behind Hearts Concerto.

Skilfing is a son of Kitasan Black out of Rossweisse, by Symboli Kris S. Saturday's victory marked his third win in a row, a first at graded stakes level. Skilfing and Hearts Concerto also both won entry spots for the Japanese Derby.