1

A Will A Way

Never fired on the rain affected track when 11th in this race last year. Ran a brave 3rd with high closing speed in the G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) last autumn. Never a threat in the G3 Ocean Stakes (1200m) at Nakayama latest.  Hold-up runner.  Likes firm track.

2

Red En Ciel

Six wins between 1200m and 1600m in 21 starts.  Notched two wins at G3 company - the CBC Sho at this course in 2019 and Kitakyushu Kinen at Kokura last August.  Stepping up to G1 level in the Sprinters Stakes (1200m) last October for a close-up 6th.  Hold-up runner.  Handles all going.

3

Right On Cue

Six wins including three at 1200m from 18 starts. Sole Graded win to date came from the G3 Keihan Hai (1200m) at Kyoto in November, 2019. Placed twice at G3 level since, a 2nd in the Keeneland Cup (1200m) last August and 2nd again in the Silk Road Stakes (1200m) in January.  Races handy.  No going issues.

4

Mozu Superflare

Defending champion and a highly consistent sprinter whose 7 wins all came from this distance. Ran a close 2nd in the G3 Kitakyushu Kinen (1200m) at Kokura last August but unplaced in his last 3 starts, including 4th in the JPN G1 JBC Sprint (1200m) on dirt at the NAR track of Oi last November.  Leads and no track concerns.

5

Daimei Fuji

Performer on both turf and dirt has not tasted any success since taking a 1400m Open class race on Chukyo’s dirt track last March.  Ran smart 2nd in a 1200m Open class race at Nakayama in January but finished out of frame last two starts.  Races versatile.  Best on good and firm.

6

Danon Fantasy

Highly-regarded mare and JRA’s Champion 2YO Filly in 2018. Claimed her 5th graded race success in the 1400m G2 Hanshin Cup last December.  Smart 5th latest in the G3 Hankyu Hai (1400m) in February and will appear at 1200m for the first time.  Settles handy and can race from back.  Best on firm.

7

Astra Emblem

Won two Listed races over 1200m and 1600m last term. Seven-time winner overall can display a strong turn of foot on his day.  No track issues.

8

Eighteen Girl

Five time winner at 1200m.  Displayed her strong turn of foot over the rain affected track at Sapporo to win her first graded stakes in the G3 Keeneland Cup (1200m) last August. Well beaten last three runs since.

9

Indy Champ

Talented miler and winner of the G1 Yasuda Kinen and G1 Mile Championship in 2019. Will make his 1200m debut in this.  First start in 2021 a closing 4th behind Resistencia in the G3 Hankyu Hai (1400m) in February. Settles midfield or further.  Has run only on firm and good to firm.

10

Lauda Sion

Proven between 1200m and 1600m including winning his first G1 title in the NHK Mile Cup last May.  Back to his form latest when 3rd behind Shivaji in the G3 Silk Road Stakes (1200m) in January.  Still has plenty of rooms for improvement as a 4YO.  Races close to speed.  No ground worries.

11

Katsuji

A mile G2 winner as a 3YO in 2018. Took his second graded race success as the 11th pick outsider when made all in the 1400m G2 Swan Stakes at Kyoto last October. Well beaten in his seasonal debut in the G3 Hankyu Hai (1400m) on 28 February. Has won on yielding.

12

Seiun Kosei

8YO veteran who still showed his talent with a smart 5th behind Shivaji in the G3 Silk Road Stakes (1200m) in January last out. Will contest in this race for the 5th time, having won it in 2017 and ran 2nd in 2019. Races handy. No track issues.

13

Travesura

4 wins at 1200m and 1600m in 19 runs.  Won the Listed Yodo Tankyori Stakes by 1.5L at the course and distance in January, but no match for Shivaji in the G3 Silk Road Stakes (1200m) last out.  Settles midfield or better.  No track worries.

14

Danon Smash

Switched exclusively to 1200m since the summer of 2018.  Close-up effort in the G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) last year, before emulated his sire Lord Kanaloa’s feat of winning the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) in December.  Races handy and can lead.  Best on firm and firm to good.
  

15

Maltese Diosa

G1-placed behind Resistencia as a 2YO in 2019. Took a mile G2 and a 2000m G3 in her 3YO campaign last season.  Pedigree suggests this first run over 1200m will not be an issue.  Races handy and leads.

16

Resistencia

2019 JRA Champion 2YO Filly with 4 wins over 1400m and 1600m from 8 career runs.  Showed her impressive speed again when made all in the G3 Hankyu Hai (1400m), also setting a course record, on 28 February latest.  First appearance at 1200m this time.  Races best when leads but can sit handy.  Handles firm and yielding track.

17

Sound Chiara

Smart performer with seven wins at 1400m and 1600m. Will make her first appearance at 1200m here. Took the G2 Hanshin Himba Stakes (1600m) last April before producing her best performance to date with a decent 2nd to champion mare Almond Eye in the G1 Victoria Mile (1600m) in May.  Races handy or settles midfield.  No going worries.

18

Mikki Brillante

Five wins between 1400m and 1800m from 21 starts.  Shown improvement when winning a 1600m Listed race at Nakayama in January, also 2L 2nd behind Resistencia in the 1400m G3 Hankyu Hai in February.  Settles midfield or better.  Best on firm and firm to good.