Horse Racing
Season
Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) - Form Comments

16/04/2021 16:29

G1 – 2000m – Turf

1 Admire Hadar Three wins from four runs.  Won the Listed Wakaba Stakes (2000m) by 3L at Hanshin on 20 March.  Proven over 2000m with two wins in two runs over the distance.  Sits handily.  Tested on firm and good to firm.
2 Lupus Tesoro Well beaten in his first three starts this term but bounced back with a three-quarters length 3rd in the 1-win class (1800m) at Nakayama on 27 March. Tactically versatile.  No track worries.
3 Stella Veloce Highly regarded Bago colt.  Winner of the G3 Saudi Arabia Royal Cup (1600m) at Tokyo last October, before fought well for a 0.75L 2nd in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (1600m) in December. A touch disappointing first-up when 5th to Efforia in the G3 Kyodo News Hai (1800m) latest.  Hold-up runner.  No track worries.
4 Elusive Panther Winner in a new comer (1600m) at Niigata last August.  Beaten 0.5L 2nd in a 1-win class (2000m) at Tokyo in February, followed by 3L 4th in the G2 Spring Stakes (1800m) last month.  Races midfield or better.  No ground worries.
5 Victipharus Winner of a newcomer (1800m) at Hanshin last November, before a brave 2nd to Efforia in the G3 Kyodo News Hai (1800m) at Tokyo in February. Showed his high closing speed over the rain-affected Nakayama for his first graded success in the G2 Spring Stakes (1800m) last out.  First time at 2000m.  No track issues.
6 Yoho Lake Consistent runner at graded level with 3rd to Danon The Kid in the G1 Hopeful Stakes at the course and distance in December. Also fast-closing neck 2nd to Lagom in the G3 Kisaragi Sho (2000m) at Chukyo in February latest.  Races back for the late run.  No going issues.
7 Efforia Unbeaten in three runs and the likely favourite in this race.  Showed good turn of foot for 2.5L win in the G3 Kyodo News Hai (1800m) at Tokyo on 14 February latest.  First run at Nakayama.  Tested only on firm.  Races close to speed.
8 Danon The Kid Crowned 2020 JRA Champion 2YO Colt and extended his winning streak to three when posting a comfortable 1.25L win in the G1 Hopeful Stakes (2000m) at Nakayama last December. Suffered a first career defeat first-up when 3rd to Titleholder in the G2 Yayoi Sho (2000m) in March latest.  Clocked fastest 600m closing sectionals in each of his four starts.  Settles better than midfield.  Tested on firm and good to firm.
9 Lagom Two wins and two seconds from four starts over 1800m and 2000m.  Smart 2nd in the G3 Kyoto Nisai Stakes (2000m) at Hanshin last November before starting off the term with a decent neck win in the G3 Kisaragi Sho (2000m) at Chukyo in February.  Sits handy.  Tested only on firm.
10 Chevalier Rose Won twice over 1600m and 1800m from five runs.  Made some late ground to finish 5th to Danon The Kid in the G1 Hopeful Stakes at the course and distance last December.  Fair 3L 2nd to Admire Hadar first-up in the Listed Wakaba Stakes (2000m) at Hanshin in March latest.  Settles midfield but can race close to speed.  Has run on only firm.
11 Deep Monster Highly regarded colt with three wins from four runs.  Won the 1-win class (2200m) at Chukyo in January before pulling away for a 2.5L win in the Listed Sumire Stakes (2200m) at Hanshin in February.  Hold-up runner.  Has run on only firm.
12 World Revival Two wins over 2000m from six runs.  Led but faded last 150m to finish 4L 6th in the G2 Spring Stakes (1800m) last month.  Usually leads.  Won on good and good to firm.
13 Titleholder Did well behind Danon The Kid as a 2YO last campaign when 2nd in the G3 Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes (1800m) at Tokyo in November and 4th in the G1 Hopeful Stakes (2000m) in December. Showed significant improvement and avenged his defeats first-up when made all for a 1.25L win in the G2 Yayoi Sho at the course and distance latest.  Leads or sits handy. Prefers firm track.
14 Asamano Itazura Won his seasonal debut by 4L in a maiden race at the course and distance in January.  Fair 4th in upgraded class (2200m) in February before brave head 2nd to Victipharus in the G2 Spring Stakes (1800m) at Nakayama on 21 March.  Can settle midfield or sit handy.  Ran on firm and yielding.
15 Gratias Half-brother to 2019 JRA Champion 2yo filly Resistencia. Won both career starts, first taking a 2000m newcomer by 1.25L at Tokyo last October, before making it back-to-back with a 2.5L cosy win in the G3 Keisei Hai at the course and distance in January.  Leads or sits handy.  Has run on good and good to firm.
16 Red Belle Aube Finished in the Top 3 in all four runs.  Won the G2 Daily Hai Nisai Stakes (1600m) at Hanshin last November, followed by a creditable 3rd in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (1600m) at Hanshin in December. This will be his first run over 2000m.  Tested on firm and good.  Settles midfield or better but can sit handy.