A FULL field of 18 runners will go to post for the Group 1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) tomorrow, spearheaded by comprehensive Satsuki Sho (2000 Guineas) winner Justin Milano.

The son of Kizuna will face a stern test as he reopposes many of the Guineas field, in addition to a plethora of unexposed and exciting runners.

The Group 1 Tokyo Yushun will be run at Tokyo Racecourse, with a scheduled start of 7:40am Irish time.

First run in 1932, this year marks the 91st running of the Derby, with a €3.8 million prize pool on offer. It is the second leg of the colt’s Triple Crown; the final race is the 3,000m Kikuka Sho, run in the autumn.

Short-priced favourite

Justin Milano looks assured of being sent off as the short-priced favourite to keep his unbeaten record intact. A superb winner of the first colt’s classic of the year, Justin Milano is the standout pick on all known form.

Trainer Yasuo Tomomichi, who has trained three Derby winners, has been unusually vocal since his latest Guineas success in his belief that Justin Milano will be better suited to the conditions of the Derby.

Sixpence is the only other unbeaten entrant in the line-up.

Winner of the Group 2 Spring Stakes in March, connections chose to bypass the Satsuki Sho with the Derby as his sole target. Yuga Kawada takes the ride with the pair attempting to give veteran trainer Sakae Kunieda his first win in the Tokyo Yushun.

Bidding to win the race for a seventh time is JRA racing icon, Yutaka Take. The 55-year-old will partner Group 2 Aoba Sho winner Sugar Kun. The son of Duramente is a half-brother to seven-time Group 1 winner Kitasan Black, Sugar Kun is the sole runner of the field to bring proven form over course and distance.

35th Derby

Yutaka Take rode his 4,500th winner two weeks ago; this will be his 35th Derby ride, with his first win coming in 1998 on Special Week.

Danon Ayers Rock is another fascinating contender after securing his Derby berth by an impressive win in the Principal Stakes. He is a three-time winner from four starts ranging from 1,800-2,000 metres.

By JRA Champion Miler, Maurice, Danon Ayers Rock is out of Australian Group 1 winner and 1,200-1,600 metre specialist, Mosheen.

With the aid of Joao Moreira in red-hot form, if the 2,400 metre distance falls within the compass of the Noriyuki Hori-trained colt, he has the quality to be involved in the finish.

Regaleira will be the only filly in the line-up; she will be aiming to improve upon her luckless sixth-place finish in the Satsuki Sho. The Group 1 Hopeful Stakes winner recorded the fastest final three-furlong sectional time in the Guineas.

Like Regaleira, Urban Chic suffered a torrid trip in the colts’ classic but stayed on stoutly to finish fourth, he looks assured to thrive with the step up in distance.

Satsuki Sho runner-up Cosmo Kuranda and the French-bred Shin Emperor are two other notable runners that could play a role in deciding the destination of the 2024 Tokyo Yushun trophy.

Hong Kong

THERE is European interest in the Group 1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup at Sha Tin tomorrow (9.10am) with Charlie Appleby sending over Rebel’s Romance.

Rebel’s Romance won 12 of 18 starts for over £6 million in prize money. The much travelled six-year-old won the Group 1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan on his last outing, beating three Japanese challengers, and his best form sets a high standard here.

There is rain forecast but this should not inconvenience the Dubawi gelding.

“He’s been a star to date,” Appleby said this week. “He’s a multiple Group 1 winner in many countries, Germany, America, Qatar and Dubai.

“His preparation for the Champions and Chater has gone well. It’s a race we have always had our eye on.

“One of the challenges is going to be the travel. It’s not as if he doesn’t like travelling - he’s won all over the place - but this is the furthest he has ever been.”

Straight Arron has the class and could be value, although his first start back in Hong Kong after racing in Dubai was poor.

Massive Sovereign (formerly Broadhurst) was on an upward curve winning the BMW Hong Kong Derby but needs to shake off a poor run in the FWD QEII Cup behind Romantic Warrior last time and the weather creates concerns again.

Appleby is also represented by triple Meydan winner Legend Of Time in the nine furlong Grade 2 Pennine Ridge Stakes at Belmont at the Big A tonight.