In a fascinating meeting of generational talent, legendary jockey Yutaka Take will combine with emerging trainer Yuki Uehara at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday (31 May) as the pair attempts to land the JPY651 million (approx. HK$31.9 million) G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, 2400m).

Take, 57, will ride in the Tokyo Yushun for the 37th time in search of a record-extending seventh win, having previously scored on Special Week (1998), Admire Vega (1999), Tanino Gimlet (2002), Deep Impact (2005), Kizuna (2013) and Do Deuce (2022).

He will partner Going To Sky for Uehara, 36, who will saddle four starters in the Classic, and, apart from Take’s mount, will also be represented by Green Energy, Forte Angelo and Reichsadler.

Take first rode in the Tokyo Yushun in 1988, finishing 16th on Cosmo Amber, and is hopeful Going To Sky – last-start winner of the G2 Aoba Sho (2400m) over Sunday’s course and distance – can upset likely favourite Lovcen, already a dual Group 1 winner, but untested beyond 2000m.

Sired by 2020 Tokyo Yushun champion and Triple Crown winner Contrail, Going To Sky overcame barrier 16 and equalled the race record of 2m 23.0s in charging from midfield on the home turn to prevail convincingly in the Group 2 feature.

“It was a very good win. It was my first time riding him, and we had an outside draw, so there were some unknowns,” Take said. “But the race unfolded well for us, and that helped offset the post. I thought both the substance of the performance and the time were pretty solid. He’s a good horse, and I’m glad he got the berth.

“Having ridden him in a race, I felt he has more turn-of-foot than I expected. I wouldn’t necessarily say he gives the impression of being the smoothest racehorse yet. He has a big stride too.”

Lovcen, to be ridden by Kohei Matsuyama, comfortably defeated Tokyo Yushun rivals Realize Sirius and Reichsadler in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas, 2000m) at Nakayama on 19 April, clocking a record 1m 56.5s.

Trainer Haruki Sugiyama is unconcerned by stamina queries, pointing to the colt’s pedigree, which features World Premiere – a son of champion sire Deep Impact – who won the 2019 G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger, 3000m).

“He’s quite muscular, but from his bloodline, I don’t think he’ll have a problem (with the distance). Racing at his own rhythm will be key,” Sugiyama said.

Contrail is also represented by Congestus, who is unbeaten in three starts and impressed when taking the G2 Kyoto Shimbun Hai (2200m) on 9 May under regular rider Atsuya Nishimura.

His trainer Tomokazu Takano said: “I think his most recent race was a difficult race, but he won, which was big. I feel he’s maturing with each race and his performance reflects that.”

Realize Sirius, Audacia, Basse Terre, Forte Angelo, Peintre Naif and Reichsadler are among the leading contenders.

The G1 Tokyo Yushun (2400m) is carded as S1-1 and will be run at 2.40pm (Hong Kong Time) on Sunday, 31 May.

Photo: Pat Healy Photography