The win was in the numbers Sunday at Fuchu as Daiwa Major captured his second grade 1 race of his career with victory in the fall Emperor's Cup. Racing from the No. 14 post over 2,000 meters of turf, as he had done for his first top-level victory in the Satsukisho two years ago, the feisty 5-year-old held off a strong field of 15 to top the race by half a length.
The race's fourth pick, who still required three handlers in the paddock to keep him from acting up, grabbed the second position after a fine break and held on, stepping into the lead with 300 meters to go.
Swift Current and Admire Moon followed Daiwa Major over the line in second and third, respectively, with race favorite Sweep Tosho finishing in fifth place.