Off Trail edged out in G3 Sekiya Kinen thriller

Off Trail bounced back to form on his return to a mile as he dead-heated for second in a blistering renewal of the G3 Sekiya Kinen at Niigata, Japan, on Sunday, 27 July.

The Farhh colt, who was stepping back up in trip for Keiji Yoshimura on the back of two sprinting appearances in March, broke on terms from his low draw and settled in 10th of the 18 runners on the inside rail.

This year’s UAE Derby fourth Shin Forever set a searching gallop and held a six-length lead turning in, with Off Trail making good progress between horses approaching the final two furlongs to chase down the leader.

Off Trail quickened powerfully under Akira Sugawara to collar Shin Forever just inside the final furlong and went a length clear before being joined on both sides by Kana Tape and Bond Girl in the final strides.

Kana Tape swooped late to get up for a neck success, shaving half a second off the course record, with nothing to separate Off Trail and Bond Girl for second.

Harry Sweeney, President of Godolphin in Japan, said: “This was a very brave run by Off Trail, who was carrying the second-highest weight in the race and was narrowly beaten in what turned out to be a record time.

“It’s good to see him back running at distances greater than six furlongs and it was clear from his previous outings that he wasn’t a sprinter. Currently, his trainer is proposing to go for the G2 Swan Stakes over seven furlongs in October, although not everyone in the team is convinced that seven furlongs is his best distance, and he may ultimately be extended back out to a mile.”