Cruzeiro do Sul, from the first crop of Fine Needle, posted a record time at Niigata on Saturday, 27 July when landing the 1,800m Kanetsu Stakes.
Settled in mid division, the Godolphin colt was running strongly coming around the final turn and accelerated impressively down the home straight to win easily and break the course record in the process.
This was his fourth career victory having broken his maiden at two, before landing the Listed Junior Cup last January.
Cruzeiro do Sul is the best foal to date out of the winning Alkaased mare Staria, dam of six winners in total including Eoilia, who has won four times on the JRA circuit.
Fine Needle was himself a Champion sprinter in Japan, completing the same G1 sprint double as Lord Kanola. He is also sire of G3 winner Culture Day, plus G3 performer Sky Canvas.
