1

Miyamazakura

G3 winner over the mile, also ran 2nd at the course and distance in the G3 Kyoto Nisai Stakes last November.  Finished a fair 7th in the G1 Japanese Oaks (2400m) last out and goes straight into this race as planned.  Dropping to 2000m suits.  Tactically versatile.  Best on firm going.

2

Ria Amelia

Biggest key will be on how she breaks from the gate.  If she doesn’t miss the break, she can sit handily and show her late burst just as she did when winning the G2 Rose Stakes (2000m) at Chukyo in September latest.  Better on a right-handed course and prefers it firm.

3

Maltese Diosa

4 wins at 1600m and 2000m from 8 starts.  Winner of the G2 Tulip Sho (1600m) in March but finished below par in the first 2 legs of the Fillies’ Triple Crown. Recovered well and scored her second graded race win in the G3 Shion Stakes (2000m) at Nakayama in September last out.  Settles close to the speed.  Won on firm and good going.

4

Ho O Peaceful

2 wins at 1800m and 2000m from 6 starts.  Finished second, beaten a neck by Win Marilyn in the G2 Flora Stakes (2000m) in April, but only 8th in the G1 Japanese Oaks (2400m) and 13th in the G3 Shion Stakes (2000m) latest.  Settles better than midfield.  Tested on firm and good going.

5

Win Mighty

3 wins between 1600m and 2000m from 8 starts.  Ran well when 3rd in the G1 Japanese Oaks (2400m) at Tokyo in May.  Succumbed to the wide draw for 6th in the G3 Shion Stakes (2000m) at Nakayama in September. Races close to the speed.  Handles soft ground as well.  

6

Dantsu Elise

Won 3 over 1800m on dirt from 10 career starts. Showed her terrific speed when storming home from last-to-first for her 3rd win in a 2-win class race at Nakayama on 26 September.  Hold up runner but can also race handy.  No ground concerns.    

7

Musica

Scored her first long awaited win in an 1800m maiden at this course in May. Best run to date came in the G2 Rose Stakes (2000m) when 2nd, a fast-finishing 2L behind Ria Amelia at Chukyo latest. Settles midfield for closing speed.  No ground concerns.

8

Soft Fruit

3 wins at 2000m and 2200m in 9 career outings.  Latest, an impressive 4L score in a 2-win class stakes race (2000m) at Chukyo in September.  Races from better than midfield or handy.  No going issues.

9

Sanctuaire

Beat the boys for her first graded race win in the G3 Shinzan Kinen (1600m) in January.  Ran a fair 6th on a rain-affected track in the G1 Oka Sho at 1600m in April, but never in contention in the G1 Japanese Oaks (2400m) last out.  Races handy.  Best on firm.

10

Cravache d’Or

Won 1 of 7 starts and she finished off the board only once when fading late to finish 15th in the G1 Japanese Oaks (2400m) in May.  Spelled for 4 months and she displayed a good effort first up when 5th in the G2 Rose Stakes (2000m) last out.  Settles handy or run on from mid rank.  No track issues.

11

Fiori Chiari

3 wins between 1400m and 2000m from 10 outings.  Ran below par in the first 2 legs of the Fillies’ Triple Crown this year. Sat handy and broke clear for a comfortable 1.5L win in a 2-win class stakes race (2000m) at Kokura two starts back, before 8th in the G2 Rose Stakes (2000m) last out.  Often settles back but can sit handy.  Won on firm and good.
 

12

Magic Castle

Won once and twice G3-placed from 7 career starts.  Kicked off this term with a neck 2nd behind Miyamazakura in the G3 Queen Cup (1600m) at Tokyo in February.  Ran gamely to finish 5th in the G1 Japanese Oaks (2400m) in May but could manage only 4th on good ground in the G3 Shion Stakes (2000m) last out.  Races held up.  Best on firm going. 

13

Daring Tact

Winner of the G1 Oka Sho (1600m) in April and G1 Japanese Oaks (2400m) in May. Will try to become the first undefeated Fillies’ Triple Crown winner in Japanese racing history.  Proven on both fast and soft going.  Impressive when covering the last 600m in 33.1s to win the Oaks. Going straight to this race as planned.  Settles back for a strong finish.   

14

Oh My Darling

2 wins at 1600m from 11 career starts.  Showed good turn of foot for a fine 3rd in the G2 Rose Stakes, her first race over 2000m, in September latest.  Prefers firm track.  Wind up from deep.
 

15

Miss New York

3 wins at 1800m and has finished on the board in all 7 outings.  Responded well but needed more pace when 5th in the G3 Shion Stakes (2000m) at Nakayama in September latest.  Generally settles handy but can race from midpack.  Handles all going.

16

Pallas Athena

Never finished out of the first four in 6 career starts.  Ran wide throughout but showed good acceleration in the stretch to finish 1.25L 2nd to Maltese Diosa in the G3 Shion Stakes (2000m) at Nakayama in September.  Usually settles back but versatile if needed.  No ground issues but prefers firm.

17

Win Marilyn

Never missed the board in 5 starts, with 3 wins at the distance, including the G2 Flora Stakes at Tokyo in April.  Took a brief lead over the last 150m in the G1 Japanese Oaks (2400m) last out, but had to settle for 2nd after she was caught late by dual classic winner Daring Tact in the final 50m.  Going to this race with no prep race as planned.  Races handily and can handle softer track.

18

Ablaze

Won her debut over 2000m in February, before winning back-to-back G3 Flower Cup’s (1800m) at Nakayama in March.  She ran out of steam and finished a disappointing 17th in the G1 Japanese Oaks (2400m) in May and was then 12th in the G2 Rose Stakes (2000m) on 20 September.  Races handily.  Tested only on firm.