Akai Ito

The 5-year-old daughter of Kizuna and the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2200m) winner in 2021 ran 3rd in her seasonal bow at a G2 in March, but finished below par in the subsequent three starts before 4th in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup last time. 

Izu Jo no Kiseki

After winning a 3-win class in June, the 5-year-old daughter of Epiphaneia claimed her first group race title in the G2 Fuchu Himba Stakes (1800m) where she got up to beat Sodashi right on the line. 

Boldog Hos

The up and coming 3-year-old son of Screen Hero finished in top three in all six starts this term.  Ran a nose 2nd in the G1 Kikuka Sho (3000m) last time.  Hold-up runner. Tested only on firm.

Aristoteles

The runner-up in the 2020 G1 Kikuka Sho (3000m).  3-length 4th in last year’s G1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) and a close 2nd in the G2 Kyoto Daishoten (2400m) in October 2021.  No match for the winners in two starts this term. 

Geraldina

Out of the seven-time G1 winner Gentildonna, Geraldina took her first group race victory in the G2 All Comers (2200m) in September.  Next up, in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2200m), she shook off Win Marilyn, the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase winner, in last 50m for her first G1 title.

Vela Azul

Had been raced on dirt until this January.  Since switched to turf in March, he scored 3 wins and 2 thirds before claiming his first G1 success in the Japan Cup (2400m) last time. 

Efforia

The winner of G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) and the G1 Arima Kinen (2500m) in 2021 had been looking to continue his winning success in 2022, but only managed to finish 9th  in the G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) and 6th in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) in June last time.

Win Mighty

A good 3rd in the 2020 G1 Japanese Oaks (2400m).  Showed upward curve when winning the G3 Mermaid Stakes (2000m) in June and finished 3rd on her return from 4-month break in the G2 Kyoto Daishoten (2400m) on her penultimate start. 

Equinox

The 3-year-old son of Kitasan Black showed his incredible burst of speed and reeled in Panthalassa in the final strides to land the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) last time.  Finished in top two in all 5 starts.

Justin Palace

Showed lots of progress from the disappointing finishes in the first two leg of Japanese Triple Crown when winning the G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai (2200m) by 3.5L. In the G1 Kikuka Sho, the 3000m might be a bit longer trip for him but he still managed to run a good 3rd.
 

Last Draft

Has not tasted any success since January 2019.  Finished on board in two starts this autumn by claiming 2nd in a listed race (2000m) in October before 5th in G2 Copa Republica Argentina (2500m) in November last time.
 

Potager

Finished out of frame in the last 3 starts after winning the G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) in April.  Nakayama should suit him.

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As a three-time G1 winner, the son of Duramente yielded to the rain and heavy ground at Longchamp and placed disappointing 11th in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) last time. 

Boccherini

Showed consistency with finishing in top three in 15 of 22 starts.  Finished in the money in the first four starts at G2 level this season.  Lacked response when 17th in the G1 Japan Cup (2400m) last time.

Breakup

Showed upward curve in two starts this autumn and grabbed his first group race victory in the G2 Copa Republica Argentina (2500m) last time.  On pace runner or lead.

Deep Bond

Three seconds in the G1 races.  The 5-year-old son of Kizuna suffered from the heavy going at Longchamp and weakened to 18th in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) last time.