THE Grade 1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) is the most influential race on the Japanese racing calendar in terms of defining the champion three-year-old colts’ title.

The summer showpiece is undoubtedly a favourite race of the general public and racing enthusiasts alike.

On Sunday, the 90th running of the Japanese Derby is scheduled to start at 7:40am (Irish time). It is being billed by racing media as a two-horse race, a full field of 18 runners go to post.

Sol Oriens, the winner of the Satsuki Sho (2000 Guineas), will be strongly fancied to add a second classic title to his record.

He made a lasting impression in the Guineas by coming from last-to-first in the final 300 metres on rain-soaked turf in Nakayama.

The son of Kitasan Black remains unbeaten in his three career starts. The athletic colt is trained by Takahisa Tezuka and will be ridden by Takeshi Yokoyama.

Biggest threat

Skilfing is widely expected to be the biggest threat to Sol Oriens. He is another son of Kitasan Black and was a comfortable winner of the Group 2 Aoba Sho over the Derby course and distance.

Although the Aoba Sho is officially a Derby Trial, remarkably, no winner has ever followed-up in the Tokyo Yushun. Despite Skilfing still showing obvious signs of inexperience in the Aoba Sho, he overcame a slow start before finishing powerfully to hit the line a winner by a cosy half a length.

The imposing bay is trained by Tetsuya Kimura and Christophe Lemaire will remain onboard. Lemaire has decided to stick with Skilfing for the Derby instead of resuming his partnership with Phantom Thief, a horse he finished third on in the Satsuki Sho.

Skilfing and Sol Oriens have been perfectly drawn in stall two and five respectively. They will undoubtedly be a popular choice among punters; however, several other runners hold realistic classic aspirations.

Guineas runner-up, Tastiera, attempts to reverse form with Sol Oriens and will relish the step up in trip. Phantom Thief will have the benefit of Japanese racing legend, Yutaka Take, in the irons for the first time. Juvenile JRA-Group 1 winner, Dura Erede is taking an unconventional route to the Derby, he finished second in the UAE Derby on his last start.