Godolphin’s Lemon Pop concluded his stellar career with a repeat victory in Sunday’s Champions Cup (G1) at Chukyo, just lasting by a nose from the rallying Wilson Tesoro.

As a deep-closing, one-turn specialist, Joe Peacock Jr.’s homebred Senor Buscador has been frustrated time and again in the most prestigious races stateside. But Saturday’s Saudi Cup (G1) proved to be exactly the right stage.

The world’s richest race is shaping to be something of a reboot of the biggest raceday in the United States – with a few extras thrown in for good measure.

Godolphin already has defending champion Cody’s Wish in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), but their Japanese-based star Lemon Pop put himself into the discussion with a breathtaking display in Monday’s Mile Championship Nambu Hai at Morioka.

Godolphin’s Lemon Pop confirmed himself as a rising dirt star in Sunday’s February (G1) at Tokyo, while Grade 1 turfiste Shirl’s Speight couldn’t lift on the surface and wound up ninth.

Last seen finishing second to champion Modern Games in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) on turf, Shirl’s Speight makes a bold attempt on the Tokyo dirt in Sunday’s February S. (G1), a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).