A trip down under for a shot at the Caulfield Cup 2017 could be on the cards for Japanese stayer Satono Crown after the up-and-comer’s Group 1 Takarazuka Kinen (2212m) win at home over the weekend earning him a ballot exemption for the October feature.

All the money was on Kitasan Black who jumped odds-on favourite in the 11 furlong feature, but it was the Noriyuki Hori-trained Marju stallion Satono Crown who stole the show improving on his sixth in the race 12 months earlier.

The five-year-old won the Hong Kong Vase over the mile and a half last December in an upset over superstar Highland Reel, while his Takarazuka Kinen win has earned him a ballot exemption for the $3 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in mid-October.

After stalking the favourite throughout, Satono Crown showed off an exhilarating turn of foot once on the straight storming past the reigning Japanese Horse Of The Year Kitasan Black who eventually faded to finish a disappointing ninth.

Satono Crown, ridden by Mirco Demuro, then held off a fast-finishing Gold Actor for a three-quarter length win at Hanshin Racecourse, while the sole female galloper in the field Mikki Queen ran third.

“We were able to race well while eyeing the strong Kitasan Black,” Demuro told the media post-win.

“He felt really good turning the fourth corner and exerted a remarkable kick in the straight.

“He’s really a Group 1 horse. I think this type of [soft rated] ground suits him. I always had confidence in him.”

Owned by CEO of Sega Sammy Holdings gaming corporation Hajime Satomi, Satono Crown collected around AUS$1.78 million for his weekend victory – his second Group 1 success to date.

Connections now have the option of a trip down under for the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival targeting the Caulfield Cup, the mile and a half feature taken out by Japan in 2014 by the ill-fated Admire Rakti.

Satono Crown has also earned a fees-paid entry into America’s Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar in November.

Current all-in Caulfield Cup 2017 betting at Ladbrokes.com.au is a wide open affair with five gallopers sharing $17 favouritism including ATC Oaks winning filly Bonneval from New Zealand and the Chris Waller-trained Schweppes Oaks – Queensland Oaks champion Egg Tart.

No three-year-old has won the Caulfield Cup in over 30 plus years, but both Bonneval and Egg Tart will be four-years-old by Caulfield Cup Day with the Horse’s Birthday in Australia on August 1.

Check out the latest Caulfield Cup odds online now at Ladbrokes.com.au before the first round of nominations are taken on Tuesday August 29, 2017.