Despite blue skies and fast going, rain-loving Showa Modern found the climate to his liking Sunday at Tokyo Racecourse. Perhaps the deep rumbling of thunder before the race had been enough to awaken the eighth-pick darkhorse. Whatever it was, it was just what he needed to best the 18-strong field of the Yasuda Kinen (G1) and cross the wire a half-length ahead of runnerup Super Hornet.

Hong Kong’s trio failed to meet expectations that this could be the year to see the third Yasuda Kinen winner to hail from Japan’s neighbor to the south. Losing out on the win by just over a length was the least popular of the three Hong Kong geldings -- Sight Winner – who just making the board in fifth place.

Showa Modern clocked 1 minute 31.7 seconds over the 1,600 meters of firm turf in the 60th version of the Yasuda Kinen and gave jockey Hiroki Goto his second win of the race, trainer Hiroaki Sugiura his first.

An ecstatic Goto, 36, was in tears after the race as he treated fans to an emotional performance before leaving the track. He rode to the winner’s circle and bowed low hugging Showa Modern before taking yet more time to parade before the photographers crowding the course before he returned to weigh in. Of Showa Modern Goto said later, “He was in good shape and the draw was good. The weather may have been too good but his last race was great so I had a lot of confidence. Everything went as an imagined it would. It all went just perfectly.” Last week Goto had failed to catch the winner as he battled home to a second-place finish aboard Rose Kingdom in Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) and the disappointment was still palpable. “I still had bad memories of last week,” he explained, “and remembering just how long the homestretch had been. Even though everything felt good today, I kept thinking, ‘I have to keep pushing, I have to keep pushing. I can’t give up.’ Last week turned out to be a really good lesson.” .

From the gate A Shin Forward led the 18-strong field at a medium pace followed closely by Captain Thule and Triumph March. Goto held Showa Modern mid field and waiting to make his move in the straight. With horses bunched at the front across the width of the turf, Showa Modern gained the front with over 100 meters to go, catching front-running Smile Jack, who was passed in the last moments by Super Hornet. Smile Jack finished in third place a head behind Super Hornet. Triumph March was fourth half a length later, followed by Sight Winner.

Race favorite Reach the Crown was perhaps the biggest disappointment and, despite having maintained a forward position 3-4 off the front, faded to 14th place by the wire.

Fellowship, who was backed to race seventh choice, was next best among the Hong Kong horses with a ninth-place finish. The most popular Beauty Flash, who was sent to the gate as fourth pick, was, despite “having had every chance,” only good for 11th place. Trainer Anthony Cruz, said there was “no excuse.” With veteran rider Felix Coetzee called in specially from South Africa for the ride, Cruz said they had had everything they needed, including a good position. “He just didn’t show his usual kick.” Cruz did not give up on Beauty Flash, however, pointing out that he was closer to the winner than he had been in the Champions Mile. “Watch out for him next year.” he said.

Trainer Paul O’Sullivan, who had expressed concern regarding the distance before the race, said Fellowship, who may be best at 1,400 meters, had been “nervous and a bit upset in the pre-parade ring.” Though happy with the preparation and having felt Fellowship had been “up to par,” O’Sullivan could give no reasons for the relatively poor showing.

Showa Modern is trained by the Miho-based Sugiura. The 6-year-old is by Air Jihad out of the Tony Bin mare Yume Shibai, and was bred at the Teruya Yoshida-owned Shadai Farm in Hokkaido. Owned by Keiichi Yamagishi, Showa Modern is now 10 for 39. The 100 million yen winner’s share boosted Showa Modern’s earnings to over 348 million yen.

The return on the No. 17 ticket to win was 1,390 yen on a 100 yen wager. The winning exacta 17-9 paid 26,640 yen, the winning trifecta 17-9-2 was worth a whopping 348,740 yen.