First Arc for Japan? Exciting Alohi Alii sets up big race bid at Deauville

Alohi Alii has left racing fans in Japan dreaming of a historic breakthrough in one of the world's most famous events. Trainers have spent years trying to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October, ever since their first runner Speed Symboli in 1969.

Orfevre seemed likely to become their first big race hero at Longchamp in 2012 when he went into the lead under Christophe Soumillon, but outsider Solemia surged past to snatch victory in the final strides. Soumillon was on the opposite team to Japan on Saturday when he partnered Rashabar in the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville, a horse send over from Britain by Brian Meehan.

However his mount had no answer to Alohi Alii, who emerged as Japan's latest Arc contender and earned a quote of 25-1 from William Hill.

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The Hiroyasu Tanaka-saddled colt made all of the running for Christophe Lemaire and crossed the line with a three-and-a-half length advantage.

“We first planned to come to France for the Grand Prix de Paris in July, but the horse was not quite ready,” Tanaka said via Thoroughbred Daily News. “With a view to giving him a race before the Arc, we looked at the program and decided to come here. The race had been won in the past by horses that went on to excel in the Arc, so we felt it was right to run here."

And if Alohi Alii can go close in the autumn highlight, which features many of the world's best flat horses, it would be a fitting result.

That is because his dam's sire is Orfevre, who as well as going so close 13 years ago, secured another silver medal behind Arc great Treve in 2013.

"The race today is over 2000 metres and that is what we wanted for his prep,” Tanaka added. “The further the better with this horse, so I have no doubt that he will stay the Arc trip. The timing is just perfect between the two races.”

Meanwhile fellow Japanese colt Danon Decile completed his preparation for the Juddmonte International at York next week with a workout.

Based at James Horton's stable, he was ridden out in Newmarket by his trainer Shogo Yasuda and ran clear of the lead horse over a distance of seven furlongs.

Danon Decile was last seen racing to first in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan and is a top price of 9-2 to win the feature Group One of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival.

He too could be an Arc contender and David Stevens, spokesman for bookmakers Coral, said: "Japan's quest to win the Arc is well-documented, and this year's challenge has been boosted by Alohi Alii's Deauville success.

"He joins compatriot Danon Decile at 20-1 in our Arc betting ahead of York."