Tuesday, 26 June 2012: A trip to France for the Arc could be back on Orfevre's agenda following the Japanese star's return to form on Sunday in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin.
Last year's Japanese Triple Crown hero had disappointed in two starts this season but the son of Deep Impact returned to form in no uncertain terms to claim a two lengths victoiry and uphold his family record in the race.
His full brother Dream Journey won the Takarazuka Kinen in 2009 and now become the first brothers to claim the race.
Yasutoshi Ikee's four year old settled in midfield before moving out to challenge out the top of the stretch and the response was electric when his jockey Kenichi Ikezoe asked him to pick up his rivals.
The winner was chased home by Craig Williams aboard recent Hong Kong Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner Rulership.
Ikee refrained from commenting on the possibility of Orfevre travelling to Europe to contest the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris in October but it is known he remains interested in taking up the challenge.
After his all-conquering 2011 campaign, Orfevre had been beaten in G2 company in bizarre circumstances on his seasonal debut and next time out he was well beaten at odds-on in the Tenno Sho (Spring) won by Beat Black, who was only ninth in Sunday's contest.
Kenichi Ikezoe came under a lot of criticism for his defeats and this redeeming victory moved him to tears on the winner's podium.
"He was more relaxed than last time and his reaction at the home turn was very good," the jockey said.
"As long as he is okay he will go abroad. I expect it to happen!"
Orfevre has now won five G1 races inclufign the Japanese Derby and year-end Arima Kinen, also won by his brother Dream Journey.
Ikezoe has now won the Takarazuka Kinen twice while Ikee has won it three times with Dream Journey( 2009), Sweep Tosho (2005) and now Orfevre.
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