1200m – Dirt
Cherry Summer |
Two of his 3 JRA wins came at the course and distance, including his last at a grade below in March. Finished 2nd once in 6 subsequent starts, in a 1400m dirt handicap in Tokyo in April. Fair 7th latest at course and distance on 9 December. Can lead or sit handy. No ground concerns. |
Copano Lisbon |
Four wins and 3 seconds so far over 1200m and 1400m. Led thoroughout and just held on at the wire when winning a 1400m race a grade below at Tokyo on 19 November. Drop back to 1200m should be a plus. This big colt will make his Nakayama debut here and will have to cope with the tighter turns on the track. Leads or races close to the speed. No ground worries. |
Denko Uno |
Will switch back to dirt for the first time over two and a half years. Well beaten in his previous two starts on this surface. Did finish 3rd over Nakayama 1200m on turf in September. |
Dragon Street |
Switching to dirt for very first time after 4 wins, 5 seconds and 2 thirds in 33 starts on turf. Finished 1.5L 4th over Nakayama 1200m on turf two back. Usually settles midfield. All best turf form is on a sound surface. |
Grass Etoile |
5yo mare with 4 career wins, her last 3 all coming over the dirt 1400m. Placed just once in her 6 starts this year, a 0.8L 2nd at the course and distance, and in the same class, in September. 7th latest over 1400m at Tokyo on 25 November. Suited better to 1200m, with abundant speed. Usually sits handy. No ground concerns. |
Hikari Brandy |
Raced over 1200m on dirt in all 7 starts in 2017. Fared well in the spring with a win, a second and a third, the win coming a grade below in March. Improved recently with two 4th-place finishes in last 2 starts, including latest when he flew late on this track on 9 December. Tactically versatile. |
Hikari Masamune |
Three wins all at this distance, including latest at this course in September, 2016. A good start in 2017 when he finished a neck second at the course and distance, with the winner later placed in a G3 sprint. Well below-par in 4 starts since, including latest when 14th over sloppy track at Niigata. Tactically versatile. No ground concerns. |
Hungry Ben |
Placed in a regional 1400m JPN G2 event as a 2yo. Could not show his promise when he made a late 3yo return over the course and distance in September, finishing 11th. Fared better when 5th at Niigata two back, but was well beaten again at Hanshin last time. Best when sitting handy. Acts on a sound surface. |
Jako Katte |
This 6yo won at Hanshin over the same distance in March 2016. Failed to finish better than 7th in 9 starts since moving up to this class. Spelled for six months for this race, but more needed here. Races close to the speed. Best on sound surface. |
Meisho Tsurezure |
Lightly-raced 8yo with 4 wins from 14 starts. Last win in May 2014. Makes her Nakayama debut here. Fair runs in 3 starts this year, including latest when broke late for 5th in a Kyoto 1200m over a heavy track on 19 November. Improvement likely. Best when able to lead or sit handy. All wins on good or firm track. |
Meisho Wadaiko |
Front-running 5yo raced primarily over 1200m on dirt. Had great deal of success until late spring this year and one second, 2 thirds at this level. Spelled for 5 month before 12th over course and distance on 9 December. Has not stood out in his training since. No ground concern. |
Morgiana |
A Nakayama specialist with all 4 career wins at the course and distance, the latest in March 2016. Also ran in some turf races intermittently. Raced only 3 times in 2017, best last start when a running-on 0.8L 3rd in a 1200m at Kyoto on 15 October, her 2nd start after returning from a 3-month layoff. Usually races close to the pace. Promising prospect here. |
Pai Meimei |
A big Falbrav mare. Moved up to this class in December 2015 but only placed twice in 11 starts since, including 6 runs this year. Almost ended that drought last time when she was just gunned down by the winner for a nose 2nd in a 1200m over sloppy ground at Niigata in October. May fare better this time. |
Precious Ace |
A 4yo colt who fared well at lower class but has shown no promise in last 3 starts at this level, including 2 on turf and his latest on dirt. Front-runner with little stamina at this level. |
Yasashisa |
Front-running 3yo filly with 3 wins over 1200m on dirt, and 4 seconds from 1200m to 1800m. Raced handily last time to win a 1200m event in Kyoto on 26 November. Only previous start here was a 2nd over course and distance two back in October. First time running against older horses. |
Yoraifuku |
Won at the course and distance a class below in April. But this 5yo gelding failed to fire in four subsequently starts, including 2 here over 1200m at Nakayama. |
