Racing: Karasi has the jump on Japanese Dragon

New Zealand jockey Brett Scott rode a confident race as he guided Australian champion hurdler Karasi to another Nakayama Grand Jump victory.

Karasi defended his title in the the world's richest jumping race, holding off a strong late challenge by the local Japanese favorite T M Dragon.

New Zealand's representative Fontera led early, dropped back through the field at the 1000m mark and fell at the last fence.

The connection of Karasi had a nervous wait after the trainer of Mejiro Basinger, Yokichi Okubo, requested an inquiry into possible interference caused to his runner by Karasi at the eighth hurdle.

Eventually the stewards deemed that Karasi had not significantly interfered with Mejiro Basinger, and announced correct weight.

The race, over 4250m, was run at a quick pace with Fontera taking a forward position early on together with Balt Fountain, before former top Japanese hurdler Mejiro Ormond took over the lead in the middle stages.

Balt Fountain was pulled out of the race shortly after appearing to break down.

The two favourites were Karasi and T M Dragon and most Japanese punters were not disappointed when both horses made their runs in the last 800m.

Melbourne-based Scott went for home first on the 11-year-old gelding, and coming to the last hurdle in the straight he held a slender lead.

In the final furlong, T M Dragon really knuckled down and began closing the gap.

But under Scott's vigorous riding, the brave Australian champion kept finding and eventually held on to beat the gallant 4-year-old Japanese rival by a neck.

Telegenic, the winner of the lead-up race, the Pegasus Jump, finished third, trailing by seven lengths, while Merci A Time was another five lengths back in fourth.

Karasi is trained by champion Australasian jumps mentor Eric Musgrove, and is owned by Pearse Morgan.

He earned a first prize of more than 80 million yen ($1.86 million) for the victory.

Karasi has the jump on Japanese Dragon

New Zealand jockey Brett Scott rode a confident race as he guided Australian champion hurdler Karasi to another Nakayama Grand Jump victory.

Karasi defended his title in the the world's richest jumping race, holding off a strong late challenge by the local Japanese favorite T M Dragon.

New Zealand's representative Fontera led early, dropped back through the field at the 1000m mark and fell at the last fence.

The connection of Karasi had a nervous wait after the trainer of Mejiro Basinger, Yokichi Okubo, requested an inquiry into possible interference caused to his runner by Karasi at the eighth hurdle.

Eventually the stewards deemed that Karasi had not significantly interfered with Mejiro Basinger, and announced correct weight.

The race, over 4250m, was run at a quick pace with Fontera taking a forward position early on together with Balt Fountain, before former top Japanese hurdler Mejiro Ormond took over the lead in the middle stages.

Balt Fountain was pulled out of the race shortly after appearing to break down.

The two favourites were Karasi and T M Dragon and most Japanese punters were not disappointed when both horses made their runs in the last 800m.

Melbourne-based Scott went for home first on the 11-year-old gelding, and coming to the last hurdle in the straight he held a slender lead.

In the final furlong, T M Dragon really knuckled down and began closing the gap.

But under Scott's vigorous riding, the brave Australian champion kept finding and eventually held on to beat the gallant 4-year-old Japanese rival by a neck.

Telegenic, the winner of the lead-up race, the Pegasus Jump, finished third, trailing by seven lengths, while Merci A Time was another five lengths back in fourth.

Karasi is trained by champion Australasian jumps mentor Eric Musgrove, and is owned by Pearse Morgan.

He earned a first prize of more than 80 million yen ($1.86 million) for the victory.