Damian Lane could not have done more tactically when narrowly defeated on star mare Sodashi in Sunday’s G1 Victoria Mile at Tokyo, according to Asian Racing Report Editor Michael Cox.

Jumping from the widest gate in the field of 16, Lane pressed forward on Naosuke Sugai’s defending Victoria Mile champion to sit outside the lead, the pair looking the winner until the final two strides when collared by last year’s G1 Yasuda Kinen winner Songline.

Speaking on the latest episode of Asian Racing Review, Cox dismissed any notion that the Australian jockey may have ridden Sodashi too aggressively.

“I would say on the way (Damian Lane) positioned the horse, I thought he rode perfectly,” he said.

“The criticism is a bit silly sometimes when a horse is beaten by a stride, by a head. Not that there is widespread criticism of the ride… but he has given this horse every chance and she has run a tremendous race.”

Cox also noted the different tactical elements common to JRA Group 1s, including the way Lane has taken control of races in Japan, and the presence of multiple potential ‘speed bumps’ in triple-figure chances with little to no chance.

Watch the segment on the Victoria Mile: 

Also on this week’s episode:

Unpacking the Hong Kong jockey disqualifications 0:00; Rating the ride: Damian Lane on Sodashi 7:19; Saluting LJ’s $10 Songline tip 9:53; Japan’s ‘freak’ filly Liberty Island set to unleash on Sunday 10:38; Former Hong Kong trainer Andreas Schütz wins the French 2000 Guineas 12:20; A look ahead to the Kranji Mile and Singapore’s revitalised big race schedule 14:39.

Watch this week’s episode: 

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