Horse Racing
Season
Tenno Sho Autumn - Form Comments

25/10/2019 15:10

G1 – 2000m – Turf

1

Cadenas

Winless since taking the G2 Yayoi Sho (2000m) in March 2017.  In fine form of late with 1 second and 3 thirds in 4 recent starts, best when neck second to Mer de Glace in the G3 Kokura Kinen (2000m) in August. Form boosted as Mer de Glace took the G1 Caulfield Cup in Australia last week. Hold-up runner. Best on firm and good.

2

Almond Eye

The champion 4yo filly will reappear for the first time in the autumn campaign. She ended her winning streak when running 3rd in the Yasuda Kinen in June. Despite meeting traffic after breaking from the gate, she clocked 32.4s for the final 600m, the fastest sectional time of the field. Jockey Christophe Lemaire was very confident in her condition last week. Hold up runner but can sit better than midfield. No concern for the 2000m at Tokyo.

3

Keiai Nautique

Claimed the first G1 win in the NHK Mile Cup last year. Finished below par in four starts this term. Never tested over 2000m. Likes to get back. All runs on firm and good. His full brother Fierce Impact took the G1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield earlier this month.

4

Suave Richard

Claimed his first G1 win in the Osaka Hai in April 2018. Not able to return to the winner’s circle since, but ran smart thirds in the G1 Japan Cup (2400m) last November, the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) in March and G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) in June latest.  Tactically versatile. No ground issue.

5

Aerolithe

Finished 7th in his only previous attempt over 2000m in the 2017 G1 Shuka Sho. Her best distance should be 1600m, but she is likely to handle the 2000m at Tokyo. Finished 2nd in the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) for second straight year in June. Also ran 2nd in the G2 Mainichi Okan (1800m) latest. Will be very competitive against colts/horses at Tokyo. Races on pace.  Best on firm track.

6

You Can Smile

Consistent middle to long distance performer who has been on board in his 5 recent starts. Scored his first graded race success in the G3 Diamond Stakes (3400m) in February, before running 5th in the G1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) in April. Spelled for 5 months and handled this distance well to win the G3 Niigata Kinen in September last out. Hold-up runner. All runs on firm.

7

Stiffelio

An admirably consistent galloper with 13 top three finishes from 23 career starts, including four wins over 2000m. Ran 7th in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) in June, before making all to score by 1.75L in the G2 All Comers (2200m) in September latest. Can lead or sit handily. No ground issue.

8

Makahiki

Winner of the G1 Japanese Derby (2400m) at Tokyo in 2016.  Winless since taking the G2 Prix Niel (2400m) at Chantilly in 2016.  Ran well in recent starts around this distance, including 2nd in the G2 Sapporo Kinen (2000m) last August, 3rd in the G2 Kyoto Kinen (2200m) in February and 4th in the G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) in March.  Below par when 11th in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) in June. Hold-up runner. No ground issue.

9

Danon Premium

Champion 2yo colt in 2017. Took the G2 Kinko Sho (2000m) in his seasonal return in March. Backed that up with a 1.25L score in the G2 Milers Cup in April. Never fired and well beaten when 16th in the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) at Tokyo in June last out.  Sits handily. All runs on firm and good.

10

Saturnalia

Won all his first 4 career starts, culminating with the G1 Satsuki Sho (2000m) in April.  Suffered his first defeat after he missed the break and raced wide for 4th in the G1 Japanese Derby (2400m) in May, despite he covered the fastest sectional time of the field at 34.1s for final 600m. Very impressive when winning the G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai (2400m) by three lengths last out. Generally settles close to the speed.  No track worries. Christophe Soumillon has been booked to ride.

11

Go For The
Summit

Stamped himself as a potential classic liner last season with the win in the G2 Aoba Sho (2400m) at Tokyo. Finished a fair 3L 6th behind Stiffelio in the G2 All Comers (2200m) in September latest.  Tested only on firm and good. Settles back but can sit handily.

12

Dreadnoughtus

6 wins including 5 at 2000m from 27 outings.  Quickened home with a remarkable charge to post a 1.25L win, his career best so far, in the G2 Kyoto Daishoten (2400m) on 6 October latest. Generally sits close to the speed. No ground issue.

13

Run For The
Roses

Narrowly beaten in the G2 Aoba Sho in April, before finishing 7th in the G1 Japanese Derby, both over 2400m at Tokyo. Finished a fair 3.5L 5th in the G2 Mainichi Okan (1800m) latest. Generally sits handily but can settle midfield. No ground issue.

14

Wagnerian

Winner of the G1 Japanese Derby (2400m) last year. Sidelined for 6 months after taking the G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai (2400m) last September. Good effort in his return when half-length 3rd behind Al Ain in the G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) in March. Fought on for 4th in the G2 Sapporo Kinen (2000m) in August last out. Races midfield or better. No track concerns.

15

Win Bright

Notched his first G1 triumph when taking the FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin in April. Won both starts, over 1800m and 2000m, before that run. Disappointing when well beaten in 9th in the G2 All Comers (2200m) at Nakayama in September last out.  Races from midfield or better. All runs on firm and good.

16

Al Ain

Multiple G1 winner at 2000m in the 2017 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) and 2019 Osaka Hai. Struggled with slow pace and not able to show a burst of his speed when 4th in this race last year. Wearing blinkers since his first run up this term has helped. Can handle heavy track. Sits handily.