Japanese horse Mozu Ascot to run in Sydney

Cox Plate-winning trainer Yoshito Yahagi will bring Mozu Ascot to Sydney for the Doncaster Mile.

Having captured the Cox Plate with Lys Gracieux, Japanese trainer Yoshito Yahagi is eyeing off Australia’s richest 1600m-handicap, the Doncaster Mile, with Mozu Ascot.

The Yahagi-trained horse won Sunday’s Grade One February Stakes at Tokyo to confirm plans to bring him to Sydney for the $3 million Doncaster on April 4.

Ridden by Christophe Lemaire, Mozu Ascot was a dominant 2-1/2 length winner over K T Brave.

A son of champion Frankel, Mozu Ascot has won seven races from 21 starts including the 2018 Yasuda Kinen.

“He is a great horse who has now won both a turf Grade One and a dirt Grade One,” Yahagi said.

“His condition was better than the previous race, so I expected the result, although I was nervous.

“I will take him to Australia to contest the Doncaster Mile, and the main target this year would be the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.”