Tosen Stardom flew home in the final 150 metres to record a scintillating win in the 2017 Emirates Stakes at Flemington this afternoon.

There were plenty of horses spruiked in betting ahead of the Emirates Stakes, which suggested it was going to be an open race, and that proved to be the case as a host of horses spread across the track with 200 metres left to run.

Damian Lane had a great deal of trouble finding clear running for Tosen Stardom and runs closed on him twice, but the Japanese stallion always looked ready to explode when he found clear running and he did just that in the final stages of the race.

Lane admitted after the race that Tosen Stardom would have been a good thing beaten if he hadn’t found clear running in the final stages of the race and he was delighted to claim another Group 1 on one of the stars of the 2017 Spring Racing Carnival.

“He would have been a good thing beaten if I didn’t get out,” Lane said.

“I had one run close on me and it really stopped my momentum and to switch across heels and still win was just massive.

“He was always going to be better suited back to weight-for-age and the team have done a magnificent job with him during the week to back-up off his Kennedy Mile run.

“I was just lucky to be on-board.”

Trainer Darren Weir had three runners in the 2017 Emirates Stakes field and he tipped punters before the race that Tosen Stardom was his best chance in the Group 1 event.

Weir admitted that he didn’t know where to look in the final stages as Cliff’s Edge and Gailo Chop were also in the finish, but he was delighted when he saw Tosen Stardom storming down the outside.

“It is great for the horse to be able to show what he has really got,” Weir said.

“We had a bit of back luck with him early, but we have had a great prep with him this time and that Group 1 is pretty special.

“That is the real Tosen Stardom.

“He has been a challenge – the key has been getting consistent races into him and you never would have been able to back him up in previous preps because of problems.

“I thought he looked great in the yard today and he really let down like the real Tosen Stardom.”

Happy Clapper also made up ground late to finish the race in second, while It’s Somewhat returned to his best form with a third place finish.

2017 Emirates Stakes Results