1

Geraldina

A well-bred mare by Maurice out of Gentildonna, both are Horse of the Year, and the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2200m) winner in 2022 ran a brave 3rd to Equinox in the G1 Arima Kinen (2500m) in December last time. 

2

Maria Elena

5 time winner from 1600m to 2200m in 18 starts.  The G3 Kokura Kinen (2000m) winner in 2022 struggled to find a clear path to finish 8th in the G2 Kinko Sho (2000m) last time.

3

Mozu Bello

4 wins from 24 starts.  The 7-year-old horse showed closing speed to finish 2nd in this race in 2021.  Finished 10th on his return from 14-month break in the G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) in February.

4

North Bridge

Landed his first G2 and sixth career win in the American Jockey Club Cup (2200m) in January on his return from 3-month break.  Races on speed or sits handy.  No track worries.

5

Wonderful Town

The G2 and G3 winner at 2 and 3 finished no match for the winners in recent starts, with two-digit finishes in the last 2 runs. 

6

Weltreisende

4-time winner between 1800m and 2200m.  3rd in the G1 Japan Cup (2400m) in November 2022 and started off this year with winning the G2 Nikkei Shinshun Hai (2200m) at Chukyo in January. 

7

Matenro Leo

Has shown huge improvement in recent 4 starts since last autumn.  Beaten a neck 2nd in the G3 Chunichi Shimbun Hai (2000m) in last December and made his 2023 debut with 5th in the G3 Nakayama Kimpai (2000m) in January before 2nd to Do Deuce in the G2 Kyoto Kinen (2200m) in February last time.  Hold-up runner.

8

Lagulf

A 4-year-old son of Maurice showed upward curve this year with winning the G3 Nakayama Kimpai (2000m) in January and 0.8L 2nd in the G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) in February.   

9

Jack d’Or

Contested only over 2000m in 13 career runs, with 7 wins including the G2 Kinko Sho and the G2 Sapporo Kinen in 2022.  Ran well in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m), chasing the leader Panthalassa throughout the race to finish 4th behind Equinox, but finished 7th in the G1 Hong Kong Cup last time.
 

10

Potager

Landed this race in 2022 for his first G1 success, but finished out of frame in the last 5 starts.  Finished 3.5L sixth in the G2 Kinko Sho (2000m) last time.

11

Stars  On Earth

A 4-year-old talented filly and the dual fillies’ classic winner of 2022.  Finished in the top three in all 8 starts.  Did not jump well from the gate, raced rear but showed her brilliant acceleration in the stretch to finish 3rd in the G1 Shuka Sho (2000m) in October last time.

12

Killer Ability

Has won 3 races over 2000m in 9 career starts including the G3 Chunichi Shimbun Hai in December 2022.  Finished 5.5L 5th in the G2 Kyoto Kinen (2200m) to Do Deuce in February last time.

13

Danon The Kid

The G1 Hopeful Stakes (2000m) winner in 2020 has not tasted any success since, but ran well in the G1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) in December 2022, finished a gallant 2nd.  No match for the winner in the G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) last time.

14

Hishi Iguazu

A 7 time winner over 1800m and 2000m in 16 starts.  The son of Heart’s Cry finished 2nd in the G1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) in 2021 and showed his class again when 2nd in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) in June 2022.  Won the G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) with a brilliant late speed on his return from 8-month layoff last time.

15

Hindu Times

A 7-year-old gelding by very successful Harbinger.  Won for the first time in almost two years in the G3 Kokura Daishoten (1800m) under Bauyrzhan Murzabayev in February last time.   No ground worries.

16

North The World

A 5-year-old sired by Deep Impact finished 2nd in five consecutive races in the 3-win class and won the class (1800m) at Nakayama last time.  Races handily.