So close for Due Process in G3 Unicorn Stakes

Due Process, having his first start in a Group race, just failed to achieve a fifth successive victory in the G3 Unicorn Stakes over a mile on dirt at Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday, 16 June.

The progressive three-year-old Daiwa Major colt, trained by Takayuki Yasuda and partnered by Mirco Demuro, stepped forward again in terms of performance when beaten a head by Wide Pharaoh in 1m 35.5s. The first two finished clear, with a further three lengths back to the third.

Due Process, draw eight, raced in midfield towards the outside and made progress over two furlongs out.

He ran on to go second approaching the final furlong, threw down a strong challenge to Wide Pharaoh and it was a thrilling battle all the way to the line.

Harry Sweeney, President of Godolphin in Japan, reported: “This is was a very good run by Due Process and it was simply the nod of the head that prevented him winning the main prize. Furthermore, he didn’t enjoy much luck in running and had a wide trip all the way and was brought even further wide on the final corner.

“Nevertheless, he rallied well in the straight and fought gallantly. The winner, who was already a Group winner on turf, was drawn in stall one and had a more straightforward trip.

“Both horses pulled away from the other 11 runners and Due Process is certainly very, very close to the top of the class among three-year-old dirt horses in Japan.

“While we are clearly disappointed to have come so close only to end up second, we can look forward to some big days racing with him in the future.”