Report: Japan, Sunday
Hanshin: The Sankei Osaka Hai (Grade 2) 1m2f, turf, 4yo+
Last year's Tokyo Yushun (the Japanese Derby) winner Kizuna (Shozo Sasaki / Yutaka Take) will be sent to Paris for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe again after taking an easy win in his seasonal debut.
After a five-month break following his fourth-placed Arc finish, the son of Deep Impact easily saw off outsider Tokai Paradise to take his seventh win in 10 starts.
Kizuna (second left) stretches out to win his seasonal debut
PICTURE: Masakazu Takahashi
The favourite Epiphaneia, who is likely to head to Hong Kong for the Audemars Piget Queen Elizabeth II Cup on April 27, finished in third.
Take said: "He ran a great race. When I asked him to go the he showed his excellent stride down the straight. The big target is waiting for him later this year, so it is very good start to the season winning at all."
Yuichi Fukunaga, who rode Epiphaneia, said: "I haven't lost heart. I am sure he will be better after this experience."