1

North Bridge

A four-time winner over this distance, he scored his second stakes win at G2 (2200m) at Nakayama in January but showed little in the last two starts.  Sits handy and versatile groundwise.

2

Echt

Six wins from 1800m to 2600m. Won the G3 Kokura Kinen (2000m) by 2.5L in August.  Versatile distancewise and groundwise.

3

Do Deuce

The Yasuo Tomomichi-trained 4-year-old colt and last year’s G1 Japanese Derby (2400m) winner showed little when disappointing 19th in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) in 2022 but burst his closing speed to win the G2 Kyoto Kinen (2200m) by 3.5L in February last time. Will meet Equinox for the first time since last year’s Japanese Derby.

4

Danon Beluga

The highly-regarded 4-year-old son of Heart’s Cry placed 2nd to Lord North in the G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) in March on his return from a 4-month break and 4th in the G2 Sapporo Kinen (2000m) last time.  Hold-up runner.

5

Gaia Force

A three-time winner at 2000m and 2200m in ten starts.  Finished in top five in all four runs this term including 4th to Songline in the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) and 5th in the G2 All Comers (2200m) last time. Settles in midfield or better.

6

Justin Palace

This 4-year-old colt landed his first G1 in the Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) in April.  Proved his class when 3rd to Equinox in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) last time.

7

Equinox

Currently at the top of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings.  The defending champion will return from a 4-month layoff and aim at his fifth straight G1 win.  The 4-year-old meets Do Deuce for the first time since he was beaten in 2nd in the G1 Japanese Derby (2400m) last year.

8

Hishi Iguazu

Showed his class, finishing in top five in four G1 races before winning the G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) in February this term.  The 7-year-old horse still should be the one to focus.

9

Prognosis

Never missed on the board in all 10 starts with six wins.  Showed brilliant closing speed and finished 2nd to Romantic Warrior in the G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) in April.  Won by 4L on his return from a 4-month break in the G2 Sapporo Kinen (2000m) last time.
  

10

Jack d’Or

2000m should be the best distance for this 5-year-old, with all his 8 wins over this distance including the G1 Osaka Hai in April.  Never fired in the stretch when 6th in the G2 Sapporo Kinen (2000m) over the rain affected track last time.

11

Admire Hadar

First attempt at this class since the Japanese Derby (2400m) two years ago.  Proved suited to 1800m and 2000m, finishing in top five in all 12 starts.  A respectable 4th to Elton Barows over 1800m in the G2 Mainichi Okan last time.