Transcend flops behind Testa Matta in Tokyo

Report: Japan, Sunday

Tokyo: February Stakes (Grade 1) 1m, dirt, 4yo+

LAST year's Dubai World Cup runner-up Transcend could finish only seventh as he attempted to defend his crown in the February Stakes in Tokyo on Sunday.

The 196 million yen (£1.56m) event went to Testa Matta (Akira Murayama/Yasunari Iwata), a 23-1 shot who beat Silk Fortune by two lengths with Japan Cup Dirt runner-up Wonder Acute taking third.

Testa Matta, a six-year-old son of Tapit, was winning his first Grade 1 event since the 2009 Japan Dirt Derby, his career having been severely compromised by wind problems and leg fractures.

However, he was second in the 2010 February Stakes, the race that has become Japan's de facto Dubai World Cup trial.

Sei Crimsonset a solid pace in Sunday's race, where 1-2 favourite Transcend fell away early despite his usual smooth break and had to be pushed along to keep tabs in fourth.

Transcend, touched off by Victoire Pisa at Meydan last term, had nothing left to give as they turned for home, soon after which Testa Matta found a terrific burst of speed from off the pace to seize the lead a furlong from home and draw off for a comfortable two-length victory.

In finishing fifth, former champ Espoir City did best of those who attempted to stay close to a gruelling pace.