Translating as 'the emperor's prize', the Tenno Sho is a biannual race, with the Spring edition run over 3200m at Kyoto and the Autumn edition over 2000m at Tokyo.

Sunday sees a strong edition of the 3200m contest with the surprise addition of Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner Croix Du Nord entered to run.

It's been 19 years since a Japanese Derby winner has won the Tenno Sho Spring, plenty opting to stick to 2000-2400m contests, but the lure of a rare 'Spring Triple Crown' – the Osaka Hai, Tenno Sho and Takarazuka Kinen sees Croix Du Nord line up.

The Derby winner wasn't the first and won't be the last Japanese horse to travel to France is desperate bid of winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe – beating eventual Arc winner Daryz in a lead up before struggling badly in the grand final.

He battled well for fourth in the Japan Cup won by Calandagan on his Japanese reappearance but has seemingly returned in career best form this year, an impressive winner of the Group 1 Osaka Hai (2000m) at Hanshin on resumption.

Croix Du Nord will be out to emulate his sire Kitasan Black who won the Osaka Hai/Tenno Sho Spring double in 2017 before failing as favourite in the Takarazuka Kinen.

The last Derby winner to attempt the Tenno Sho Spring was Tastiera who found the 3200m a bridge too far, while the great Orfevre also struggled in the two-mile test.

On form and ratings, there would be no question of Croix Du Nord's success, and it's unsurprising to see him favourite in markets.

While 3200m is an unknown, nothing he has done over shorter trips has said he won't stay further and the Kitasan Black bloodlines typically relish the test.

If there is to be a danger, Admire Terra is the one. A relatively lightly raced five-year-old, he resumed with a dominant win in the Group 2 Hanshin Daishoten (3000m) in strong time with sectional prowess.

That's a length or two off Croix Du Nord but not by far, and he clearly stays the longer trip easily, although it is worth noting he started $45 in the Japan Cup and failed to finish after unseating the rider, while Croix Du Nord was $3.60 second favourite.

Given that, it's hard to come into Admire Terra at much shorter odds this time and Croix Du Nord is the bet in the race.

Photo: JRA