1

Makahiki

Winner of the 2016 G1 Japanese Derby (2400m). Has not won since taking the G2 Prix Niel at Chantilly that September. Best of 3 runs in 2018 was a nose 2nd behind Sungrazer in the G2 Sapporo Kinen in August. Closed well when 0.5L 3rd behind Danburite on his seasonal debut in the G2 Kyoto Kinen (2200m) latest.  No ground concerns.

2

Wagnerian

Winner of the G1 Japanese Derby (2400m) last year. Scored his 5th career win at most recent start in September’s G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai (2400m). Spelled since.  Hold-up runner.  Capable on all going.    

3

Al Ain

Winless since taking the G1 Satsuki Sho (2000m) at Nakayama in 2017. Good efforts at top-level since including 3rd in this race last year and 3rd to Stelvio in the G1 Mile Championship at Kyoto in November.  Ran 5th on a rain-affected track on seasonal debut in the G2 Kinko Sho (2000m) at Chukyo this month.  Handles all going but best on firm ground.  Races close to the speed.

4

Epoca D'oro

Won the G1 Satsuki Sho (2000m) last year. Half-length 2nd to Wagnerian in G1 Japanese Derby (2400m) last May. Unplaced in last 3 starts including when fought on for fair 5th in the 1800m G2 Nakayama Kinen latest. No ground issues.  Races on the speed or sits handy.

5

Muito Obrigado

5 wins from 18 starts over 1800m to 2600m.  Bagged his third consecutive win in an upper-class stakes race (2400m) in October. 2nd in the 2500m G2 Copa Republica Argentina at Tokyo in November.  Well beaten when 7L 7th in the G2 Kinko Sho (2000m) last time.  Tactically versatile.  Capable on all track conditions.

6

Kiseki

Raced in strong company last autumn and 2nd to Almond Eye in the G1 Japan Cup (2400m) when she set a world record at the distance. Disadvantaged when posted wide to finish 5th in the G1 Arima Kinen (2500m) last time.  Has returned in good shape from a 3-month break and since then has been working well. Expected to lead.  Handles all going.

7

Blast Onepiece

Two-time G3 winner over 1800m and 2000m.  Rounded off 3yo season with a first G1 success in the Arima Kinen (2500m) at Nakayama in December. According to his trainer, the colt has developed a lot in his hindquarters and has been clocking faster work since he returned to Miho on 14 March.  Races midfield or further. Tested only on firm and good ground.

8

Sungrazer

Three-time G2 winner and often thereabouts at top-level.  Career best to date when smart 2nd behind Rey de Oro in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) last October, before travelling to Sha Tin for a decent 4th to Glorious Forever in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) last start. Will be ridden by Filip Minarik for the first time.  Hold-up runner and no ground concerns.

9

Air Windsor

Finished in top 3 in 14 of his 15 career starts.  Captured his first graded race success in the G3 Challenge Cup over the course and distance last December. Good effort when 3rd on a rain-affected track in the G2 Kinko Sho latest.  Races midfield or forward. 

10

Stay Foolish

2 wins from 10 outings, including the G2 Kyoto Shimbun Hai (2200m) last May.  Placed in both the G3 Challenge Cup over the course and distance in December and the G3 Nakayama Kimpai (2000m) in January.  Fought hard late but failed to get past Danburite when neck 2nd in the 2200m G2 Kyoto Kinen in February.  Versatile, can settle anywhere in the run.  Tested only on firm track.

11

Persian Knight

Sound form from 1600m to 2000m with 4 wins out of 16 starts, including his success in the G1 Mile Championship in 2017. Finished runner-up to Suave Richard in this race last year and a head 2nd to Stelvio in the G1 Mile Championship in November. Regularly ridden off the speed.  Prefers good track.

12

Stelvio

G1-placed as a 2yo in 2017, before taking the G2 Spring Stakes (1800m) last March. Claimed his first G1 success in the Mile Championship at Kyoto in November.  Promising first-up when neck 3rd in the G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) latest.  Pulled up well after last start.  Races midfield and no track concerns.

13

Stiffelio

7 wins from 20 outings between 1800m and 2000m.  Undefeated in 2 recent starts, the G3 Fukushima Kinen (2000m) in November and G3 Kokura Daishoten (1800m) on 17 February.  Settles close to the speed or on the speed.  No ground issues.

14

Danburite

Sole win from 7 starts in 2018 came in G2 American Jockey Club Cup (2200m) last January. Already on the board in 2019 with a second graded stakes race last start in the 2200m G2 Kyoto Kinen in February.  Sits handy or close to the speed.