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Leading contenders for this weekend’s Japan Derby have gone through their final paces at the two JRA training centres with the focus on the first three from the G1 Satsuki Sho, Dee Majesty, Makahiki and Satono Diamond.

The three in addition to Leontes are considered most likely to win the 83rd running of the Derby (2400m).

Smart Odin, Vanquish Run and Air Spinel are also expected to figure in the wagering with Red Eldest touted as a worthy longshot.

The majority of Derby nominees were given their final fast workout on Wednesday with a handful, including Mount Robson, working on Thursday.

Christophe Lemaire took the reins of Satsuki Sho third Satono Diamond on Wednesday for a hard gallop behind Satono Noblesse and another Derby runner Prophet on the Ritto woodchip course.

Satono Diamond caught and passed the other two, leaving Lemaire enthusiastic.

“It was a perfect workout. His responses were very quick,” he said.

“Too many things figured against him in the Satsuki Sho. He in no way lost due to a lack of strength.”

Makahiki, second in the Satsuki Sho worked under an assistant trainer from the stable of Yasuo Tomomichi on the hill course at Ritto.

On Wednesday, Makahiki worked solo over five furlongs up the hill under strong urging.

“It was a solid bit of work,” said Tomomichi. “It’s our usual pattern to give him his last fast work up the hill and push him enough to give his lungs a good workout.”

Jockey Masayoshi Ebina took the Satsuki Sho champion Dee Majesty over the Miho woodchip flat course.

Dee Majesty worked with another horse over six furlongs, all with no urging.

Trainer Yoshitaka Ninomiya said, “The horse came out of the Satsuki Sho well and recovered fully quickly. He has come along according to plan since.”

Ninomiya gave Ebina instructions to start well behind the other horse and allow Dee Majesty to run as he wished in the finish.

Leontes, fourth in the Satsuki Sho but demoted to fifth for causing interference in the stretch, also got high marks for his Wednesday workout over six furlongs under jockey Mirco Demuro.

“He was really full of pep,” said Demuro. “He always is and he felt very good. We tied his tongue this morning and he went even better.”

Kyoto Shimbun Hai winner Smart Odin breezed under jockey Keita Tosaki on the flat over the woodchips on Wednesday, with Tosaki giving a shake of the reins to sharpen him up in the final furlong.

“This is the third time I’ve ridden him in morning work and this week was the best he’s been yet,” he reported.