The heavily punted favourite Maurice two-year-old, Danon Ayers Rock, displayed a commanding performance to confirm that the confidence was well placed. He emerged as an easy winner in a newcomer's race over 1800 meters on the hallowed Tokyo turf.

This highly anticipated prospect, who changed hands for the princely sum of JPY 495 million at last year's Select Sale as a yearling. Breaking well from the start, he settled into second position. As the field approached the home stretch, he effortlessly took the lead and began to extend his lead with minimal effort.

The winning time was 1 minute 48.1 seconds. Finishing in second place, 1.25 lengths behind, was the seventh-favorite Peace Hiro Faith, followed closely by Citral, the second-favorite, who finished in third by a head.