Tastiera finished second by 1 1/4 lengths to Sol Oriens in the Grade 1 Japanese 2000 Guineas at Hanshin Racecourse in April, unable to hold a late lead.

The result was reversed in Sunday’s Grade 1 Japanese Derby. This time, Tastiera ($15.70) was in front at the wire, holding off a fast-closing 4-5 favorite Sol Oriens to win the $4.3 million Japanese Derby by a neck in a tight finish.

Sol Oriens finished a nose in front of 32-1 Hearts Concerto, who was a nose in front of 52-1 Bellagio Opera in the field of 18.

Sirens Star returned from a three-month layoff to win a maiden race in Australia last November, a victory that takes on added significance when she starts in a handicap for fillies and mares at 6 1/4 furlongs at Newcastle Racecourse on Monday evening.

The handicap will be Sirens Star’s first start since Christmas Eve, and her ability to win after a rest earlier in her career could lead to a second career win at Newcastle.

Aidan O’Brien’s two highly regarded 3-year-olds, Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear, flopped three weeks ago racing over soft ground in the English 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. On Saturday, at The Curragh in Ireland, O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore won the Irish 2000 Guineas with a lower-profile colt named Paddington.  

October Revolution is at home at Port Macquarie Racecourse in Australia, both in daily training and racing.

A winner of 2 of 13 starts, October Revolution was a good second in a five-furlong handicap at Port Macquarie on May 19, closing from last of eight to miss by a head.

The late kick leaves October Revolution favored in a five-furlong handicap at Port Macquarie on Sunday evening. A 3-year-old gelding, October Revolution is trained by Neil Godbolt, who is based at Port Macquarie.

Paul Lally:

R1 10-1-6-2

R2 2-1-6-4

R3 7-9-1-3

R4 5-4-6-7

R5 5-1-4-12

R6 5-6-14-1

Romantic Warrior, who has never has raced beyond 1 1/4 miles, tries 1 1/2 miles for the first time Sunday at Sha Tin Racecourse in the final Hong Kong Group 1 of the season, the Champions and Chater Cup. No one seems capable of beating him. 

JAPAN ADVANCE By Steve Andersen The last time Sol Oriens ran at Tokyo Racecourse the well-regarded colt closed from third to win a maiden race for first-time starters last November. Sol Oriens returns

When the $1.27 million Big Dance Stakes was run at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia last November, Akasawa was nearing a comeback from an 11-month layoff.

This November, Akasawa could be part of that restricted stakes.

To qualify, Akasawa needs a win in a race such as the Gunnedah Cup at a mile at Gunnedah Racecourse on Saturday evening.

The first two finishers from the Gunnedah Cup will be finalists for the Big Dance, which will be limited to 20 starters determined by official handicap ratings.

After a seriously troubled trip in England, Royal Scotsman could win the first Group 1 of the Irish racing season on Saturday at The Curragh. 

Royal Scotsman is one of 10 3-year-olds entered in an apparently modest renewal of the Irish 2000 Guineas, and things hardly could go as poorly for him at The Curragh as they did May 6 at Newmarket.