By Barbara Bayer

Barrier draws for the Japan Cup were among the topics of conversation at a JRA- sponsored function last night in Tokyo.

Last year's winning jockey Olivier Peslier, rider of the likely favourite Symboli Kris S, was happy with his no. 7 gate. "I think it's an ideal position to go from to claim second or third position," he said. As for the state of the going, Peslier added: "They moved the rail last week and the ground on the inside is good. I think everyone is going to be aiming for that. If I can, I'll try to find the best going."

The French jockey mentioned English challenger Golan among his concerns from the competition. "Golan is a tough horse and he seems to have acclimatised well. He will be a strong opponent." Golan has drawn favourably in stall no. 3, while Hong Kong's Indigenous has an ideal berth inside him in no. 2.

French filly Bright Sky, who is getting considerable attention from the Japanese media, did not overly concern Peslier, however. "She had a great run last time out and seems very capable but she is young and it's her first long excursion." Bright Sky's owner Alec Wildenstein expressed his dissatisfaction with her no. 12 draw. "I'd have preferred a 7 or 8. That's one knock against us." He said his other concern was the fact that regular rider Dominique Boeuf would not partner her in the big race. Boeuf, explained Wildenstein, had been turned down for a licence by the JRA, due to an infraction in Japan some 10 years ago. The French owner is pinning his hopes on jockey Thierry Thulliez for the trip around Nakayama.

Narita Top Road drew a wished-for outside position with no. 13. "That gets rid of one of my concerns," said trainer Yoshio Oki, whose other worry is the going. "I'm wishing for a fast track," he said.

The chance of rain for Tokyo is holding at 50 percent for Sunday. Highs for the day are forecasted as a cool 10 degrees Celsius.

Latest workout reports from the home team showed Symboli Kris S breezing over the woodchip course at Miho yesterday, clocking 66.1 seconds over 1000 meters, wrapping up with a 12.3-second in-hand finish. T.M. Ocean clocked 83.2 seconds over 1200 meters yesterday on the Miho dirt course. She was driven at the finish and covered the final 200m in 12.3 seconds.

Narita Top Road did a steady gallop over 1200 meters on the woodchip at Ritto, clocking 80.3 seconds, improving his time prior to the Tenno Sho by a full 2.3 seconds. Jungle Pocket did an easy gallop up the hill at Ritto, clocking 52.4 seconds over 800m.

Hong Kong viewers should also look out for the winner of this year's Japanese 2000 Guineas, No Reason. Bad luck has plagued this horse since he suffered a bone fracture during the Japanese Derby, and his jockey fell off when exiting the gates in the Japanese St Leger this autumn. Things are said to be falling into shape nicely ahead of the US$3.96 million test at the weekend and he has drawn the no. 9 gate.

In the Japan Cup Dirt, Hong Kong's hope Red Sun drew gate no. 6.