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Struggling for form last year on dirt tracks, the switch to turf has sparked an amazing turnaround in Vela Azul's form, having now won four from his last six starts with victory in the Group 1 Japan Cup (2400m).

The five-year-old entire was a dominant winner of the Group 2 The Kyoto Daishoten (2400m) at Hanshin last start and was well backed into $4.5 third pick in local markets, defeating Shahryar ($3.4F) by ¾ of a length.

Australian jockey Damian Lane, who rode a double on the day with wins aboard Iconostasis ($3.4) in Race 2 and Consigliere ($3.4) in Race snuck up the inside and held third aboard Weltreisende.

Moore, who rode superstar mare Gentildonna to win the 2013 Japan Cup and now has nine Japanese Group 1 wins, to go along with his 167 worldwide, was humbled by the Japanese reception post-race.

"It's been difficult to get to Japan for the last two years. I'm very thankful to come back, it's a special country. I'm always very happy to come to Japan," Moore said post-race.

This was Moore's first sit on the relatively unknown Vela Azul, but the son of Eishin Flash, who won a Tokyo Yushun and Tenno Sho himself, impressed Moore greatly.

"He was much the best today I just had to find some space, once I did, he quickened up very impressively, he's a very talented horse and I was very fortunate to be riding him today," Moore said.

The race became messy as the field packed around the turn and Moore had to wait for gaps to appear.

"We had a nice position following a good horse, but it was very congested… it was a bit tense… he's won a Japan Cup, he's reached the absolute pinnacle of flat racing," Moore said.

It was somewhat of a mismatched trainer and jockey combination, with trainer Kunihiko Watanabe having never won a Group 1 from twelve starters, and just having trained two Group 2 wins, including Vela Azul at Hanshin.

Top class jockeys from around the world came to the fore on Japan Cup day, with leading local hoops Yutaka Take and Christoph Lemaire riding winners, with Lane Tom Marquand (1) and Moore all tasting success.

Given Vela Azul's remarkable rise, further Group 1 targets on turf can be expected soon, with the fan-voted Group 1 Arima Kinen (2500m) at Nakayama a possibility, otherwise a race such as the Group 1 Osaka Hai (2000m) next year may be the target.