Transcend earned an invitation to the G1 Dubai World Cup with a barrier-to-box victory in the G1 February Stakes in Tokyo on Sunday.  The five year-old was making a seasonal return after winning the G1 Japan Cup Dirt in November.

Transcend (5h Wild Rush – Cinema Scope by Tony Bin) defeated Darley galloper Furioso (Brian’s Time) who has been in the front rank of Japan’s dirt performers in recent years.  

Top turf performers Buena Vista and Victoire Pisa are set to represent Japan in the Dubai World Cup on March 26 and they will be joined by Transcend who was originally slated to start in the Godolphin Mile.

“He started in the February Stakes last year but wasn’t in it mentally,” trainer Takayuki Yasuda said.  “It’s all about preparation and he was in very good shape this year.

“We had already accepted an invite to the Godolphin Mile but, to be perfectly honest, we want to run in the Dubai World Cup.”

Transcend clocked 1.36.40s for 1600m which broke the 2009 race record held by Success Brocken (Symboli Kris S).  The winner is by USA bred sire Wild Rush who stood at Adena Springs in Kentucky before transferring to Arrow Stud in 2004.