Coming off a third place finish in his previous start in the Negishi Stakes (G3, dirt, 1,400m), Testa Matta landed his first G1 victory in two and a half years since claiming the NAR's Japan Dirt Derby (dirt, 2,000m) in this year's February Stakes. It was the first JRA G1 title for trainer Akira Murayama and the first February Stakes title for 2011 JRA Award winning jockey Yasunari Iwata.

Raced twice on turf as a two-year-old, the son of Tapit won his dirt race debut as a three-year-old and claimed his first G1 title in his third dirt race start under Yasunari Iwata. Hindered by a number of set-backs due to wind problems and leg fractures, Testa Matta proved well up to G1 standard on dirt, having finished second in the 2010 February Stakes-he had to pass up his entry in 2011 recovering from a sickness that had him scratched from a race earlier in the year, but promptly claimed a G3 win in the March Stakes (dirt, 1,800m) that spring.

The race was run at a solid pace led by Sei Crimson for the first three quarters of the mile race. Tosho Cousin was close up in second while Grand Prix Boss and Espoir City followed around third and fourth. Danon Come On and Wonder Acute was positioned in mid-field between rivals while Transcend, despite a smooth break, uncharacteristically fell behind to start and had to be urged along the outside by Shinji Fujita to make up ground and settle for fourth position with 1,000 meters to go. Testa Matta was placed well off the pace off the rails while Silk Fortune sat far behind second from the rear. As the field rounded for home, Danon Come On and Wonder Acute advanced on the tiring leaders as the defending champion Transcend struggled to find another gear. The pair was soon joined by Testa Matta, who gave a terrific turn of speed to quickly seize the front before the last 200 meters and drew off to a comfortable 2-length victory, and later outrun by a strong late charge by Silk Fortune who loomed boldly from behind for second. Espoir City stayed well after keeping up with the grueling pace and bested the frontrunners in fifth.

OTHER HORSES:
6th: (2) Tagano Lock On- raced mid-division two wide, unable to reach contention while showing mild effort
8th: (6) Keiai Tenjin- broke sharply, saved ground behind leaders, met traffic, showed effort after
9th: (7) Yamanin Kingly- raced in front of winner, passed tired rivals
10th: (12) Live Concert- raced behind mid-pack, angled out at stretch, even paced
11th: (5) Hiraboku Wild- traveled off the pace, attempted bid along the rails, met traffic
12th: (13) Grand Prix Boss- prominent up to last corner, met traffic, outrun by rivals
13th: (14) Tosho Cousin- pressed pace, led briefly after last corner then faded
14th: (4) Smile Jack- trailed in rear, never nearer
15th: (8) Sei Crimson- led fast pace, tired from early efforts
16th: (1) Nike Madrid- saved ground in mid-division, no factor