1

Travesura

Has not tasted any success since a listed race (1200m) in January 2021 and this race will be his first appearance in this term.  Finished a 1.3L 8th in the G2 Hanshin Cup (1400m) in December 2022 last time.

2

Water Navillera

Last year’s G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas, 1600m) runner-up and the third placed filly in the 2021 G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (1600m) has had two-digit finishes in the last 4 starts.  Races handy.  Tested only on firm track.

3

Kir Lord

Mixed form on both turf and dirt with 4 wins over 1200m.  Well 3rd in the race last year and brave 2nd on his return from 5-month break in the G3 Keihan Hai (1200m) in last November. 

4

Daddy’s Vivid

4th in the G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) in 2022 and finished a neck further in second in the G3 Hankyu Hai (1400m) last time.

5

Meikei Yell

Won her sixth group race in the G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) in September 2022 before finishing 5th in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) in December.  Will make her reappearance from 3-month layoff.

6

Naran Huleg

Scored his first G1 title in this race last year.  Finished well 3rd in the G1 Sprinters Stakes in 2022 but placed 10th in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m).  Missed the break and finished 9th in the G3 Ocean Stakes over the distance at Nakayama last time.

7

Vento Voce

Quickened home with a remarkable charge to win by 2L in the G3 Ocean Stakes (1200m) last time.  All of his seven wins are over the right-handed courses and the straight course at Niigata, hence, switching to the left-handed course may pose a challenge.

8

Lotus Land

Six-time winner between 1400m and 1800m ran a smart 2nd in this race last year.  Showed a great acceleration to finish 3rd in the G3 Kyoto Himba Stakes (1400m) in her seasonal bow last time.

9

Divination

Showed upward curve in the G3 Ocean Stakes when runner-up over the distance at Nakayama last time. 

10

Opal Charme

4 wins from 30 starts are over 1200m.  Finished below par in recent 4 starts.  Races handy or on speed.
 

11

Pixie Knight

Will make his seasonal reappearance since the 2021 G1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m).  Due to the injury, the 5-year-old horse has been sidelined for over fifteen months. 

12

Aguri

Unbeaten in recent four starts and won the first group race last time in the G3 Hankyu Hai (1400m) in February.  Only finished outside top three once in his 9 career appearances in his sole 1200m run.  The distance should be his key.

13

First Force

A winner at G3 over the distance.  Winless since July 2021, but showed some upward curve when he finished a head 2nd in the G3 Silk Road Stakes (1200m). 

14

Toshin Macau

Stormed down the stretch to take the second straight win in the G3 Keihan Hai (1200m) at Hanshin in November 2022.   Placed 4th in the G3 Silk Road Stakes (1200m) last time.

15

Namura Clair

Never missed the board in 11 career starts.  Finished 1.3L 5th in the G1 Sprinters Stakes in 2022 and started off this term when she won the G3 Silk Road Stakes (1200m) in January last time.  No track worries.

16

Grenadier Guards

The 5-year-old by Frankel finished a close 2nd in the G2 Hanshin Cup (1400m) on his return from 6-month layoff in last December but was unable to justify his favoritism in the G3 Hankyu Hai when 7th in February last time.

17

Buon Voyage

5 wins over this distance.  The long shot mare grabbed her first group race success in the G3 Kitakyushu Kinen (1200m) at Kokura in August 2022, but has had two-digit finishes in last two runs.

18

Win Marvel

Consistent runner with 3 wins, 3 seconds and 3 thirds over the distance, but finished out of frame in the G3 Silk Road Stakes (1200m) in January last time.  Settles better than midfield or closer to speed.