1

Stelvio

Winner of the G1 Mile Championship (1600m) in 2018.  Only started 3 times last season due to roaring and injuries. Returned from 9-month off for a 1L 5th in the G3 Hankyu Hai (1400m) on 1 March latest. Hold-up runner.

2

A Will A Way

4 wins at 1200m and 1400m in 10 outings.  Smart 2nd in the 2018 G2 Keio Hai Nisai Stakes (1400m) but failed in last year’s G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas) when 10th. Focused on sprint distance since.  Delivered impressive charge and scored her first graded stakes win in the G3 Silk Road Stakes (1200m) at Kyoto on 2 February.

3

Diatonic

Edged dual G1 winner Mozu Ascot for a nose win in the G2 Swan Stakes (1400m) at Kyoto last October. Also ran well when 2nd in the G3 Kyoto Kimpai (1600m) in January. Demoted to 3rd (finished 2nd) due to interference in the G3 Hankyu Hai (1400m) latest. Only missed the board once from 14 career starts. Has never raced over the distance but his pedigree suggests he could be effective.  

4

Teehaff

Has not won since May 2018. Ran a decent 5th in this last year but was sidelined for the rest of the season. Well beaten all 3 starts this term. 

5

Love Kampf

Ran a smart 2nd behind Fine Needle in the 2018 G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) but lost form since. Not a factor in three starts this season. Usually takes lead or sits handily.

6

Danon Smash

Won 7 of 16 starts, including 4 G3 wins at the distance. Finished a creditable 3rd behind Tower Of London in the G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) in September. Only maintained same speed when 8th in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin in December.  Encouraging seasonal debut when pulled away for a 1.5L win in the G3 Ocean Stakes (1200m) at Nakayama last time out. 

7

Groove It

Held off Kurino Gaudi for a nose win in the G3 Chukyo Kinen (1600m) last July. Below par in 3 starts since. Failed to justify favoritism when 7th in the Listed New Year Stakes (1600m) at Nakayama last time out.

8

Gran Alegria

Japanese Classic winner. Very impressive when taking the G1 Oka Sho (1600m) last April. Demoted to 5th (finished 4th) due to interference in the G1 NHK Mile Cup (1600m) in May. Terrific in her first start against older horses last time with a superb 5L win in the G2 Hanshin Cup (1400m) in December.    

9

Tower of London

Japan’s top speedster. Has won 7 times and took his maiden G1 title in the Sprinters Stakes (1200m) at Nakayama last September. Started his current campaign with a 3rd behind Danon Smash in the G3 Ocean Stakes (1200m) on 7 March. Tested only on firm and good and settles back for a finish.

10

I Love Tailor

5 wins from 1200m to 1600m and 2 seconds from 7 starts; latest a decent win in the Listed Yodo Tankyori Stakes (1200m) at Kyoto on 11 January. Only raced at Hanshin and Kyoto and untried on a left-handed course. Her late charge would likely suit the long home straight at Chukyo.

11

Kurino Gaudi

Finished 2nd to Admire Mars in the 2018 G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (1600m). Only placed once in a G3 in his 7 starts last campaign. Spelled for 3 months for a smart 3rd in the G3 Tokyo Shimbun Hai (1600m) in February, before a fair 7th in the G3 Hankyu Hai (1400m) at Hanshin on 1 March. Untested at 1200m.

12

Seiun Kosei

The veteran sprinter who was 2nd in this last year and 3rd in the G3 CBC Sho (1200m).  Failed to replicate this form since, but decent 5th behind A Will A Way in the G3 Silk Road Stakes (1200m) last time out. Takes lead or sits handy.

13

Daimei Princess

7 wins including a pair of G3s over 1000m and 1200m from 33 outings. Smart 6th in the G1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama last September but finished below par in two recent starts at the distance. Closing runner.

14

Mozu Ascot

Winner of the 2018 G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) but failed to win in 5 starts last season. Won his first start on dirt in the 1400m G3 Negishi Stakes at Tokyo in February and backed that up with an authoritative win in the G1 February Stakes (1600m) last time out. Versatile horse who will run over 1200m for the first time.

15

Nac Venus

This G3 winner has maintained her ability even as a 7yo and notched her 8th career win in a 1200m Listed race in December. Runner-up in 2 recent starts, including 1.5L behind Danon Smash in the G3 Ocean Stakes (1200m) last time out.

16

Mozu Superflare

Highly-regarded sprinter who ran well when 2nd behind Tower Of London in the G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) last September. Out of form in his recent two starts.  Led but faded late when 4th in the G3 Silk Road Stakes (1200m) last time.
 

17

Shivaji

Missed the board only once from 16 outings and has 5 wins on dirt and turf. Switched to turf in recent 3 starts with a win in the Kitakyushu Tankyori Stakes (1200m Open class) at Kokura in February. Usually sits handy but can race from the back.

18

Normcore

Edged other fillies and mares in a tight finish for her G1 breakthrough in the Victoria Mile at Tokyo last May. Returned from her summer break with a warm-up win in the G3 Fuji Stakes (1600m) at Tokyo, before finished a respectable 4th behind Admire Mars in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin in December. Will make her first start at the distance.