1

Scarlet Color

Raced predominately over 1800m in all-female company, finished 7th last out in G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup over Kyoto 2200m on 10 November. Only one lower-level start against males of 7 starts this year. Likely not competitive under these conditions.

2

Suave Richard

Won the G1 Japan Cup (2400m) under Oisin Murphy at Tokyo last out on 24 Nov. Taking his second Arima Kinen after finished 1.75L 4th behind Kitasan Black in the 2017 renewal. Was 3-3-7 in 3 other G1 starts this year, including 3rd in the Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) at Meydan in March. In form and more experienced now racing clockwise. Popular pick.

3

Etario

No wins in 5 starts this year.  Best when 1.25L 2nd in the G2 Nikkei Sho over the course and distance in March. Two other finishes on board this year, all in graded-stakes races in 2200-3200m range. Finished 7th last out in the G1 Japan Cup (2400m) on 24 Nov. G1-placed at longer distance when 2nd to Fierement in the G1 Kikuka Sho (3000m) last year. Usually races from far off pace. Stamina is forte and extra distance a plus.

4

Stiffelio

Has best a 7th in four G1 starts to date, behind Al Ain in the G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) and Lys Gracieux in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) this year. Tends to lead or run on pace. Finished 12th last out in G1 Tenno Sho Autumn on 27 October. Can handle any ground. Likely outclassed at this distance.

5

Fierement

Stayer with good late speed. Having 4 wins, 2 seconds and a third from 7 previous career starts at home, including the G1 Kikuka Sho (3000m) last October and the G1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) in April. Taking on the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) in October but finished last of 12 due to heavy ground. Result can be thrown out. Ran second in a 2200m G2 at Nakayama in January. Definitely one to watch.

6

Lys Gracieux

Runner-up of last year’s LONGINES Hong Kong Vase, has two wins, a second and third from 4 starts this year, three of them at G1 level. Impressive 3L win in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen over Hanshin 2200m in June before capturing her first overseas success in the G1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley last out on 26 Oct. Will have her first Arima Kinen and first run at Nakayama, but has travelled east from Ritto several times before. Can run from any position, over any going.

7

World Premiere

This 3YO has finished in top 3 in all his 6 career starts. Passed on first two classics this spring, but won last out in his first G1 bid in the Kikuka Sho (3000m) at Kyoto on 20 Oct. Ran 3rd previously in a 2400m G2 at Hanshin. First time at Nakayama but all previous starts ran over clockwise tracks. Tends to run from midfield. Excellent late speed. Looking good in work. Could surprise. 121lb a plus.

8

Rey de Oro

Winner of the G1 Japanese Derby (2400m) in 2017. Narrowly beaten when neck 2nd in last year’s Arima Kinen. Has been off form, failed to be placed in last four starts. Returning after 2 months off when he started favourite last out in the G1 Japan Cup (2400m) but finished 11th of 15. Could surprise, but expectations low.

9

Almond Eye

Eight wins, 1 second and a third from 10 starts. Won last year’s G1 Japan Cup (2400m) in record time. Has won 6 of last 7 starts, all G1s, including two over 2400m and coming off win of 2000m in the Tenno Sho Autumn on 27 Oct. Plans to race in Hong Kong cancelled due to raised temperature. Fully recovered. Untested over heavy track. Can run from any position. First time at Nakayama, but no problems expected. Will be race favourite if runs.

10

Saturnalia

Has 5 wins from 7 starts, including last year’s G1 Hopeful Stakes and G1 Satsuki Sho this year, both over Nakayama 2000m.  Finished 6th last out in Tenno Sho Autumn on 27 October, his first start against older horses. Can run from any position. Good speed overall and excellent late kick. 121lb a plus. Easily agitated. Calm on raceday key.

11

Kiseki

First start after finishing 7th in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m), and 3L 3rd in the G2 Prix Foy (2400m) two back. Finished 2nd in both the G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) and G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) earlier this year. Was 3-2-5 in three G1 starts last term. Set pace to finish 3.8L 5th in this race last year, having run 2nd behind Almond Eye in the G1 Japan Cup before that. Early speed. Distance a bit far but more relaxed schedule this year a plus. Good on any going.

12

Crocosmia

Ran 1.25L behind Lucky Lilac to finish 2nd for the third consecutive year in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2200m) last out on 10 Nov. Only 2nd time racing over longer than 2200m – previously 10th behind Exultant in the 2018 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) at Sha Tin. Faced male opponents in only one of her 6 starts this year, a 7th in the G2 Sapporo Kinen (2000m) in August. Not promising amid this field.

13

Al Ain

Won and placed 5 times each from 19 career starts. Raced predominately in 2000-2200m range, twice won at G1 level in the 2017 Satsuki Sho (2000m) at Nakayama and Osaka Hai (2000m) at Hanshin in March. Also finished 5th in the G1 Tokyo Yushun (2400m) and 7th in the G1 Kikuka Sho (3000m) as a 3YO in 2017. Well beaten when 14th in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) and 16th in G1 Mile Championship last out on 17 Nov, but well prepped for this race. Runs close to pace or midfield. Has 1 win and two 2nds from 3 starts at Nakayama over 2000-2200m at graded stakes level. Return to this track a plus.

14

Velox

The 3YO who has only finished out of top 3 once in his 9 career starts. Posted 2-3-3 in this year’s Triple Crown races. Lost G1 Satsuki Sho (2000m) by head after interference at the stretch. Coming off 3rd in G1 Kikuka Sho (3000m) on 20 Oct. Only 2nd time at Nakayama, but venue a plus. First time up against older horses, but can measure up. Could surprise.

15

Aerolithe

Won 4 and placed 8 times from 18 starts. Two seconds and a third from last three starts, two of them top-level, including 2.25L 3rd behind Almond Eye last out in G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) on 27 October. Raced predominately raced 1600-1800m range. First run beyond 2000m but this distance likely too long for her. One of three Arima entrants in addition to Crocosmia and Kiseki with good early speed. Most likely to set pace. Needs fast track.

16

Cheval Grand

Taking on fourth Arima Kinen with 6-3-3 record thus far. Went to Arima last year after finishing 4th in G1 Japan Cup. Finished 9th in Japan Cup last out in November after 3 months off.  That was his first start at home after three G1 starts overseas, best when 2nd to Old Persian in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) in March. Veteran runner still holding steady.