Japan Cup S1 - 1, 26/11/2017, Sunday Post Time
| 1 | Cheval Grand | 3rd in this race last year. Ran 2nd in the G2 Hanshin Daishoten (3000m) in March before 2nd to Kitasan Black in the G1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) in April. Three-quarter length third in the G2 Kyoto Daishoten (2400m) latest. The 2400m appears his best distance with a 2nd and two 3rds from 3 starts at G1 and G2 level. Settles well back for a late run. |
| 2 | Rey De Oro | Winner of this year’s G1 Japanese Derby over the course and distance. Showed improvement with an overwhelming 2L win, over subsequent Kikuka Sho winner Kiseki, in the G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai (2400m) in September latest. Faces older horses for the first time but the 2400m at Tokyo should be his best distance. Handles all surfaces from firm to yielding. Hold-up runner. |
| 3 | Guignol | Scored his first graded stakes title in the G1 Grosser Preis Von Bayern (2400m) last November. Beat Iquitos three times this season, including 2 wins in a row in the G1 Grosser Preis Von Baden (2400m) in September and the G1 Grosser Preis Von Bayern (2400m) on 1 Nov latest. Usually races prominently. Untested on a firm track. Light weight an advantage here. |
| 4 | Kitasan Black | 3 wins from 4 starts this term, all at G1 level. Slowly away in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) last month, but he settled near a slow pace and held off the fast-closing Satono Crown to complete the Tenno Sho double this year. Tactically versatile but usually takes command from the start or races close to the speed. No surface concerns. |
| 5 | Sounds of Earth | Three-time runner-up at G1 level, including this race last year. Also 5th in this race in 2015. Finished on the board only once from 3 starts this term, 4th in the G2 Sapporo Kinen (2000m) in August. 13th in the G2 Kyoto Daishoten (2400m) in October latest. Hold-up runner. Tested only on firm and good surfaces. |
| 6 | Iquitos | 7th behind Kitasan Black in last year’s Japan Cup. One win and four 2nds from six starts this year. Sole win came from the G1 Grosser Dallmayr (2000m) in July. No track concerns. Hold-up runner with a strong late kick. |
| 7 | Decipher | Winner of the G2 American Jockey Club Cup (2200m) in January, 2016. Unplaced in all 5 starts this term, including latest when 7th behind Kitasan Black in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn in October. Usually races better than midfield or close to the speed. No track concerns. |
| 8 | Soul Stirring | Winner of this year’s G1 Japanese Oaks over the course and distance. Will compete against older horses for the third time. Forced to take the lead but unable to sustain her run when 8th in the G2 Mainichi Okan (1800m) in October. Didn’t show her ability on the soft track when 6th in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) latest. The 2400m at Tokyo should suit her. Settles better than midfield or close to the speed for a late charge. |
| 9 | Rainbow Line | Decent stayer. Showed his ability on the rain-affected track when 3rd to Kitasan Black in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) last time out. Usually settles back for a late charge. |
| 10 | Boom Time | Trained by David Hayes since March. Finished well for 3rd in the G3 JRA Cup (2040m) in September and 4th in the G2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m), before claiming his first G1 victory in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) in October. 15th in the G1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) latest. Races close to the speed or better than midfield. |
| 11 | Makahiki | Won the G1 Japanese Derby over the course and distance in 2016. Winless since taking the G2 Prix Niel (2400m) at Chantilly last September, but showed improvement when he displayed a late charge over the rain-affected track to finish 5th in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) latest. The 2400m at Tokyo appears his best stage. Hold-up runner and favours a firm track. |
| 12 | Satono Crown | Claimed his first G1 title in the Hong Kong Vase (2400m) last December, followed by the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) in June. Ran on for 2nd behind Kitasan Black in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) latest. Testing ground is welcome with his powerful late charge. Can handle a firm track too. Usually settles midfield or better. |
| 13 | Sciacchetra | Winner of the G2 Nikkei Sho (2500m) in March. Finished in the money only once at G1 level in 3 subsequent starts. Failed to cope with the soft track when 15th in the Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) latest. Hold-up runner. No track worries. |
| 14 | Idaho | Aidan O’Brien-trained colt finished third to Enable in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2392m) this term and all three wins were on a good to firm surface. The 2400m should be his best distance and he will handle any track. |
| 15 | One And Only | Winner of the 2014 G1 Japanese Derby over the course and distance. Winless since taking the G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai (2400m) in September, 2014, including seven starts this year, latest when 17th in the Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) in October. No track worries. Late closer. |
| 16 | Yamakatsu Ace | Ran 4th in last year’s G1 Arima Kinen (2500m). Finished in the top three in 3 of his 4 starts this term, except last time out when 11th in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) in October. Unplaced in all 4 previous starts at Tokyo. Hold-up runner. Acts on all surfaces. |
| 17 | Last Impact | 2nd in this race in 2015. Unplaced in 8 starts since finishing 3rd in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) in March, 2016, including latest when 6th in the G2 Kyoto Daishoten (2400m) in October. Hold-up runner and no track issues. |
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