Sprinters Stakes S2 - 1, 01/10/2017, Sunday Post Time 14:40
G1 - 1200m – Turf
| 1 | Snow Dragon | The nine-year-old has not tasted success since victory in this race in 2014. Five outings this year, all at 1200m, including one on dirt when he finished 3rd in the JPNG3 Hokkaido Sprint Cup (1200m) at Mombetsu in June. Usually held-up for a late run, Nakayama suits him. |
| 2 | Let’s Go Donki | Winner of G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas, 1600m) in 2015. Smart efforts at distance include high-class 2nd in March’s G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m). Also 2nd in JPNG1 JBC Ladies’ Classic over 1600m on dirt last November. One win this term in G3 Kyoto Himba Stakes (1400m) in February. Below-par latest 11th in May’s G1 Victoria Mile when keen early. No track worries and races from rear. |
| 3 | Seiun Kosei | Most notable victory in 16 career starts came with his first G1 in the Takamtsunomiya Kinen (1200m) in March. Finished 4th in the G3 Hakodate Sprint Stakes (1200m) in June latest. The only concern will be his first outing at Nakayama’s turf but he handles all going and settles near the leaders. |
| 4 | Fiducia | Six wins at the distance but yet to win a graded race in 24 starts. Close 2nd to Rhein Meteor in the G3 Ibis Summer Dash (1000m) at Niigata in July. Latest 9th in the G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) in September. Races close to the speed and no track concern. |
| 5 | Rhein Meteor | Won the Maishin Tokubetsu (1000m) at Niigata in April before showing devastating acceleration to win the G3 Ibis Summer Dash (1000m) in July. He proved it was no fluke in the G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) latest, finishing 2nd to Fine Needle. He has a tremendous burst of speed if rated right in transit. No track worries. |
| 6 | Once in a Moon | This 4yo filly finished 2nd in the G3 Kyoto Himba Stakes (1400m) in February before a disappointing 16th in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) in March. The winner of 3 from 4 outings at 1200m, she won the TV U Fukushima Sho (1200m) at Fukushima in July and the Listed Toki Stakes (1400m) at Niigata in August latest. Races close to the speed and likes a fast track. |
| 7 | Diana Halo | Undefeated in last four starts over 1200m, including her first graded stakes win latest in the G3 Kitakyushu Kinen (1200m) at Kokura in August. Never raced at Nakayama racecourse. Fast track should suit. Sits handy. |
| 8 | Red Falx | Defending champion. Finished 3rd in March in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m). Scored his 9th win in the G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup (1400m) at Tokyo in May before finishing well for 3rd in the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) in June latest. Versatile type of horse but likes a softer track. Settles back. |
| 9 | Melagrana | Nakayama specialist is 3 from 3 at the course and distance. Disappointing 10th in both the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) in March and July’s G3 CBC Sho (1200m) at Chukyo. Clocked the fastest final 600m in 32.4 seconds when 4th in the G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) at Hanshin latest. Unraced on anything but fast going. Races from midfield or rear for a late run. |
| 10 | Big Arthur | Winner of the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) and G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) in 2016. Unlucky in running 12th in the 2016 Sprinters Stakes (1200m). Suffered a minor injury when 10th in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) last December. First start since. Settles better than midfield. No track concern. |
| 11 | Monde Can Know | Two wins and two seconds in four outings in 2016, including 2nd in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (1600m) last December. Hasn’t won in three starts this season. In his most recent start in the G3 Keeneland Cup (1200m) at Sapporo in August, he couldn’t quicken and finished 6th. Settles midfield and likes a fast track. |
| 12 | Blizzard | Winner of eight from 26, four over 1200m. Gained first stakes win with G3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1400m) win at Sha Tin in January. Yet to win since, but 3rd in G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) in April and 2nd in Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1200m) latest. Tactically versatile, but can sit handy. Untested on ground worse than good. |
| 13 | Fine Needle | Maturing into a potentially top-class sprinter with 5 wins at the distance. Graded stakes breakthrough with decisive G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) win at Hanshin latest. Races from midfield or better. Handles all going. |
| 14 | Nero | This 6yo finished 2nd in the 2016 G3 Ibis Summer Dash (1000m) and G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) respectively before scoring his first graded stakes success in the G3 Keihan Hai (1200m) at Kyoto last November. He has not placed in three outings this season with an 8th in the G3 Keeneland Cup (1200m) at Sapporo in August last start. Sits handy or races prominently. No track worries. |
| 15 | Shuji | The 2015 winner of the G3 Kokura Nisai Stakes (1200m) claimed another win in the G2 Hanshin Cup (1400m) last December. However, he has been far below his best this season, having been diagnosed with a soft mouth. Finished 13th in the G3 Keeneland Cup (1200m) at Sapporo in August under Joao Moreira. Races prominent or close to the speed. Handles firmer ground. |
| 16 | Dance Director | Back-to-back winner of the G3 Silk Road Stakes (1200m) at Kyoto in January. 7 career wins from 22 starts including 3 at 1200m. Returned from eight-month injury lay-off with strong-closing 3rd in the G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) at Hanshin in September latest. No track worries. Late closer. |
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