NAKAYAMA, Japan - Frankie Dettori rode Italian raider Falbrav to the narrowest of victories in Sunday's $3.9 million Japan Cup but had to survive a stewards' inquiry and an objection before being finally declared the winner.

	Falbrav and Frankie Dettori (center) edge out Sarafan and Corey Nakatani (left) in Sunday's Japan Cup.

Dettori, 31, was involved in a barging match in the final 100 metres with runner-up Sarafan, ridden by Corey Nakatani for U.S. trainer Neil Drysdale.

Falbrav won by a nose over 2,200 metres with favourite Symboli Kris S a neck away in third place in the 16-strong field.

As Dettori and Nakatani flashed by the line together the two jockeys were seen to exchange angry words. Sarafan had leaned across Falbrav first but the winner had then barged into the U.S. challenger just before the end.

The finish was so close it was five minutes before Falbrav was named first past the post and then another five minutes passed as stewards viewed the video and then rejected the objection of trainer Drysdale.

The victory capped an outstanding weekend for Dettori who also won the $2 million Japan Cup Dirt on Eagle Cafe of Saturday.

Falbrav, one of the the best horses to emerge from Italy in recent years, had been fancied for last month's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris but finished only ninth, unsuited by a softish surface.

"This is a dream come true for me and my country," said Dettori. "To win two Japan Cups, I'm the happiest man in the country."

Falbrav's victory broke a four-year winning spell by Japanese-trained horses. It was a second success in the race for Dettori who won in 1996 on Singspiel for English trainer Michael Stoute.

The Newmarket handler was represented on Sunday by Golan, ridden by Kieren Fallon, but the colt faded in the straight and finished out of the money.

Seven overseas horses took part in the 22nd running of the Japan Cup, staged for the first time at Nakayama racecourse for the first time as the Tokyo course is renovated.