1

Simca Mille

Finished in the top two in 7 starts this season.  Took the first grade race at G3 in June before 2nd place in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris (2400m) in July.  The Stephane Wattel trainee won the G2 Prix Niel (2400m), beating the Japanese Derby winner Do Deuce in September.

2

Onesto

French trainee and a 3-year-old colt by Frankel.  Won the G1 Grand Prix de Paris (2400m), beating two subsequent Group winners, in July.  His strong late burst should suit the Tokyo racecourse.

3

Weltreisende

Ran 3rd in the G1 Japanese Derby over this course and distance in 2020.  Won the G3 Naruo Kinen (2000m) on his return from a 16-month break in June.  Ran 7th in the G2 All Comers (2200m) last time.

4

Trust Kenshin

Won at lower class (3-win class, 2000m) in October last year.  Had two-digit finishes in the last 3 starts.

5

Grand Glory

G Bietolini-trained 6-year-old mare by Olympic Glory.  3rd in the G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes (1993m) in June and 5th to Alpinista in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) last time. 

6

Vela Azul

Already took 3 wins and 2 thirds in 5 starts since switched to the turf in March.  Showing good late burst from the widest, he clocked the fastest time of the field for the last 600m to claim his first grade race success in the G2 Kyoto Daishoten (2400m) last month.
 

7

Tunnes

A 3-year-old colt by Guiliani from Germany.  The half-brother to the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner in 2021, Torquator Tasso.  Tunnes won all 3 races this season, beating his rivals by 6 lengths or more.  For trainer Peter Schiergen, it is his fifth time participating in the Japan Cup. 

8

Daring Tact

The 2020 Fillies Triple Crown winner.  Showed the second fastest late kick and ran good 3rd in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) in June, but only fair 6th in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2200m) last time.

9

Unicorn Lion

2nd in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) last year.  Has had two-digit finishes in 3 starts since he returned from a year break.  Made all to win the G3 Fukushima Kinen (2000m) last time. 

10

Heart’s Histoire

3 of his 5 wins are over this course and distance.  Showed consistency this season with 2 wins and 1 second in 4 starts. 

11

Karate

The regular mile contender has been back to 2000m for the first time recently since April in 2020 and won the G3 Niigata Kinen in September.  He showed belated charge and finished 6th in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) last time.  Never contested over 2400m.

12

Shadow Diva

Has not tasted any success since the G2 Fuchu Himba Stakes (1800m) in October 2021.  Finished out of frame in 4 starts this season and most recent form was 7th in the G2 Fuchu Himba Stakes.

13

T O Royal

Made it four in a row with his victory in the G3 Diamond Stakes (3400m) in February.  Good 3rd in the G1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) in May before 5th in the G2 All Comers (2200m) and 6th in the G2 Copa Republica Argentina (2500m) last time. 

14

Danon Beluga

Yet to win a G1 race, but finished 4th in both the Satsuki Sho (2000m) and Japanese Derby (2400m).  Showed his talent when 3rd in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) last time. 

15

Shahryar

The G1 Japanese Derby (2400m) winner in 2021 will be back to his best trip on Sunday. Ran 3rd in this race last year.  Started off this season with a victory in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) in March and then 4th in the G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes (1993m)  in June.  Ran 5th in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) on his return from a 4-month break last time.   

16

Ridge Man

The G2 Stayers Stakes (3600m) winner in 2018.  Transferred to NAR-Morioka in September.  He is the first NAR horse to run in the Japan Cup in 4 years. 

17

Uberleben

The 2021 G1 Yushun Himba (2400m) winner has yet to win another race since.  Ran 8th in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn last time, but the 2000m should be a bit short for her.

18

Boccherini

First attempt at this class.  6 wins, 7 seconds and 2 thirds in 21 starts.  Finished in the top three in 4 starts between 2200m and 2500m this season.