He emerged as top class performer in the late autumn, winning the Kikuka Sho over 3000 metres at Kyoto on 5 November.

In December he contested one of Japan's most prestigious weight-for-age races, the Arima Kinen over 2500 metres at Nakayama and won from Taiki Blizzard and Sakura Chitose O.

In March 1996, Mayano Top Gun was matched against the 1993 Japanese Horse of the Year Narita Brian in the Hanshin Daishoten and was beaten into second place.

In June at Kyoto he recorded his biggest success as a four-year-old when he won the Takarazuka Kinen over 2200 metres, beating Sunday Branch and the mare Dance Partner.

In March 1997, Mayano Top Gun won the Hanshin Daishoten from Big Symbol and Gigaton.