1

Rhein Spirit

Winner of the Listed Yodo Tankyori Stakes (1200m) at Kyoto in January. Failed to back that up in 6 starts since, including 5th behind Daimei Princess in the G3 Ibis Summer Dash (1000m) at Niigata in July, and 5th behind Fine Needle in the G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) in September latest. Usually sits handy. Prefers fast track.

2

Hiruno Devaro

Ran on dirt early in his career, but has not won since shifting to the turf in January, 2016. Best of his 3 starts this term a nose 2nd in the G3 Hakodate Sprint Stakes (1200m) in June. Usually sits handy to midfield. No track worries.

3

Once In A Moon

Ran 0.75L 3rd behind Red Falx in this race last year. Notched her first win for over a year when led wire-to-wire in the Listed Toki Stakes (1400m) at Niigata in August latest. Can lead or sit handy. Tested on firm and good surfaces only.

4

Snow Dragon

The 10-year-old veteran has not won since taking this race in 2014. Placed only once in 5 starts this term, 3rd in the JPNG3 Hokkaido Sprint Cup (dirt, 1200m) in June. Only started once since when 12th in the G3 CBC Sho (1200m) at Chukyo in July before a minor left hind leg issue kept him out until this spot. Usually held-up and Nakayama suits him.

5

Ares Barows

Seven wins from 27 starts. Winner of 6 out of 20 at the distance. Finished in the money in two 1200m races in April and May. Form improved since with two impressive wins at G3 level, the CBC Sho (1200m) at Chukyo in July and the Kitakyushu Kinen (1200m) at Kokura on 19 August latest. Will be held-up for a late run and likes a firm surface.

6

Daimei Princess

All 3 wins came over 1000m this season, including the G3 Ibis Summer Dash at Niigata in July. Extended her terrific form with a fine 2nd behind Ares Barows in the G3 Kitakyushu Kinen in August latest. Possessed very good speed. Usually settles near the front. Handles all going.

7

Campbell Junior

Close 2nd in both the G3 Lord Derby Challenge Trophy (1600m) and G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup (1400m), before a disappointing 11th in the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) in June. Ran well in his first career start over a shorter trip when 4th in the G3 Keeneland Cup (1200m) at Sapporo in August latest. Nakayama suits him with 2 wins and 3 seconds from 6 starts. Races close to the speed. No track concerns.

8

Fine Needle

Star sprinter scored his first top-level success in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) in March, before finishing a fair 4th to Ivictory in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin. Came back after a four-month spell and overcame a wide draw, top-weight and a yielding track to take the G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m), his 8th win over the distance, at Hanshin on 9 September latest. Usually sits handy or midfield. Handles all going.

9

Love Kampf

Three-year-old filly with two wins, over 1200m, and 7 seconds from 12 career starts. Great effort when 1.5L 2nd to Fine Needle in the G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) at Hanshin on 9 September latest. Can lead or sit near the speed. No track concerns.

10

Let's Go Donki

Winner of the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas) in 2015. Switched to shorter distances and reinvented as a handy sprinter with maturity. Finished runner-up in 3 recent G1 sprints at home, including both the Takamatsunomiya Kinen in 2017 and 2018, while she was also narrowly beaten by Red Falx in this race last year. 5th in the G3 Keeneland Cup (1200m) at Sapporo on 26 August latest. No ground issues. Usually settles midfield or beyond.

11

Seiun Kosei

Winner of the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen in 2017. Bounced back to form for 2nd in the G3 Silk Road Stakes (1200m) at Kyoto in January, before grabbing his 7th career win in the 1200m G3 Hakodate Sprint Stakes in June latest. Can lead or sit handy. No track worries.

12

Nac Venus

Very solid sprinter with 6 wins at the trip. 3rd in both the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) in March and G3 Hakodate Sprint Stakes (1200m) in June. Grabbed her first graded stakes success, under Joao Moreira, in the G3 Keeneland Cup (1200m) at Sapporo on 26 August latest, with the Brazilian booked to ride her again. Can lead or sit handy. Handles all surfaces.

13

Teehaff

Ended his 3-year losing streak in the Listed Kurama Stakes (1200m) at Kyoto in May, but below par in 2 subsequent runs at Group level, including latest when 11th to Nac Venus in the G3 Keeneland Cup in August. Hold-up runner. Prefers firm and good going.

14

Lucky Bubbles

Hong Kong’s 2016/17 Champion Sprinter who failed to reach those same heights last season. Scored a first G1 win in the 2017 Chairman’s Sprint Prize, having won the G2 Premier Bowl and finished 2nd in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint in that same season – all at 1200m. Last term, best results placings in the Premier Bowl and the G3 Premier Cup (1400m) in June latest. All 8 career wins have been at 1200m. Relished a wet track in Australia pre-import, untested on worse than good since arrival in Hong Kong.

15

Moonquake

A 4-time winner at a mile who also took the G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup (1400m), in course record time, at Tokyo in May. Made his first career start over the distance in August latest when 9th to Nac Venus in the G3 Keeneland Cup at Sapporo. Usually settles midfield or beyond. No going issues.

16

Red Falx

The reigning JRA champion sprinter is aiming to get his third consecutive win in this race. Finished below par in his last two runs in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen in March and the G1 Yasuda Kinen in June. Will make his first start after a 3-month spell. No track concerns. Races from well back.