1

Ho O Amazon

Mixed form. Ran well 3rd on his return in the G2 Swan Stakes (1400m) last month.  Races on speed or sits handily.  No ground worries.

2

Kurino Gaudi

Back to 1600m for the first time since last August.  Showed upward curve this term when 1.5L 3rd in the G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) after 2 wins in a row.  No match for the winners in the last 2 runs. 

3

Schnell Meister

Very strong contender.  Became the first German-bred winner of this year’s G1 NHK Mile Cup.  Weakened in the final strides to finish 3rd in the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m).  Produced a very gutsy late speed and won at G2 (1800m) last out.

4

Salios

2020 G1 Japanese Derby (2400m) runner-up did not finish inside top three in 2 runs this term.  Not raced since 8th in the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m).  Not good enough for this.

5

Sound Chiara

Last year’s G1 Victoria Mile runner-up was not good enough in this year’s race when 11th.  Bounced back to her form when 0.8L 2nd at G2 over 1400m last month. 

6

Cadence Call

2-time winner over 1600m at G2 and G3 early this season but no match for the winner when 10th in the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) and 9th in the G2 Mainichi Okan (1800m) last month.  Unlikely winner.

7

Indy Champ

A consistent player over 1600m.  Dropped down to 1200m for the first time when solid 3rd in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen.  Weakened in the final strides for 4th finish in the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) last out.

8

Darlington Hall

Good efforts at 2 but not good enough in G1’s early last term.  Bounced back from disappointing seasonal bow on his return to finish 5th in a 1600m G2 last month. 
 

9

Grenadier Guards

G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (1600m) winner but did not taste any success in 3 starts this term.  Will contest the finish.

10

Lotus Land

This seems the perfect trip for this filly who gained 3 wins at the same distance at Hanshin. Notched her first graded race win in the G3 Sekiya Kinen (1600m) in August but finished out of frame last out at G2. 

11

Catedral

Good efforts over 1600m and 1800m at G3 this term but disappointing 12th in the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m).  Bounced back and took his first graded stakes win in the G3 Keisei Hai Autumn Handicap (1600m) at Nakayama latest in September.    

12

Gran Alegria

A 5-time G1 winner.  She has won them all over 1600m or less. After runner-up in the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m), she underwent a surgery over the summer break and returned in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) when 1.3L 3rd latest. 

13

Danon The Kid

Rounded off last term with third consecutive win in the G1 Hopeful Stake (2000m).  No match for the winner in the G1 Satsuki Sho (2000m) early this year and finished 3L 4th on his return at G2 (1600m) last month.

14

Ripresa

Won the first graded race at G2 (1870m, dirt) at NAR-Sonoda in May.  1L 5th in the G1 Japan Dirt Derby (2000m) at NAR-Oi in July but no match for the winner at listed race (1800m, turf) last out.  Needs to improve.

15

Sound Kanaloa

Smart 2nd when moved up to the 3-win class in April, but disappointing in last 3 runs.  Not considered a threat in this race.

16

Rainbow Flag

Has not tasted any success for more than 2 years.  Has failed to show his good effort recently.  Big surprise if he wins the race.