Danon Decile Up For The Challenge

Trainer Yasuda confident Japanese star has what it takes to beat European champions

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YORK - Champions from Japan, Ireland, France and Britain will battle to be acclaimed the champion of champions in the £1.25 million (S$2.17 million) Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes (2,063m) at York on Aug 20.

Shogo Yasuda, trainer of Danon Decile, knows that his star four-year-old faces a difficult task, but has confidence in his ability.

"Of course, I respect the European horses," said the son of Takayuki Yasuda, who trained top Japanese sprinter Lord Kanaloa.

"It is not easy to travel from Japan, and we have a big mountain to climb. But I believe, potentially, he can climb it."

The son of Epiphaneia has not run since he captured his first overseas race in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2,400m) at Meydan on April 5, but Yasuda is satisfied that the five-time winner is ready.

"We have not run him again because of the extreme heat in Japan," he explained.

"But I am very happy with how he is now. He can get excited, but he is getting calmer every day he is here in Newmarket, and he seems to be enjoying the different environment.