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Tenno Sho Autumn - Form Comments

30/10/2014

Tenno Sho Autumn – Form Comments

G1 - 2000m – Turf

1

Gentildonna

The two-time Japan Cup winner Gentildonna will return for the first time since the G1 Takarazuka Kinen in June when she ran ninth.  Notched the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in March and the five-year-old mare returned from a summer break to Sei Ishizaka’s stable at Ritto on 9 Sept and has had two fast workouts under her new partner Keita Tosaki on the uphill gallop.  With three wins and one second in four starts at Tokyo, the track is not an issue.  Her main target is a third win in as many years in next month’s Japan Cup.

2

Hit the Target

The six-year-old horse runs consistently from 1800m to 2400m.  Coming off a fourth-place in the G2 Kyoto Daishoten in October, the King Kamehameha-sired horse will favour the inside draw over the 2000m at Tokyo.  Usually races held up.

3

Denim and Ruby

Winless since last September in the G2 Rose Stakes, Denim and Ruby showed her ability when second in last year’s G1 Japan Cup at three. After returning from a disappointing run behind Gentildonna in Dubai in March, the Katsuhiko Sumii-trained filly did not show her strength in two subsequent starts, but the 2000m at Tokyo should be her best trip.  Usually held up and handles any track condition.

4

Spielberg

After three straight wins, the five-year-old finished third in a trial event, the G2 Mainichi Okan.  He should be one of the top picks in the field.  From 1800m to 2000m at Tokyo should be his best trip.  Delivering a strong challenge is his style and a firm track will be better for him.

5

Epiphaneia

Last year’s G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) winner aims for a second G1 title.   The well-bred colt by Symboli Kris S. out of the Special Week mare Cesario, finished fourth in the G1 APQEII Cup at Sha Tin in April.  Returning from a long summer vacation on 3 Oct, the colt is holding good condition and can handle any pace from the favourable draw.

6

Dark Shadow

The seven-year-old has not earned a G1 triumph yet but his best career score was second place in the 2011 Tenno Sho Autumn.  Seemed to be back in form this summer with third in the G3 Epsom Cup and second in the G3 Hakodate Kinen, he ran a disappointing 12th in the G2 Mainichi Okan last time.  The 2000m at Tokyo should be his distance.  He likes a firm track and races in rear.

7

Satono Noblesse

Won strongly over the 2000m in the G3 Kokura Kinen in August. The four-year-old son of Deep Impact finished a disappointing 16th in the following G2 All Comers.  Trainer Yasutoshi Ikee did not expect that defeat, but the 2000m at Tokyo Racecourse should be his distance.  Best on firm or good to firm ground.

8

Decipher

The five-year-old took his first graded stakes title in the G3 Epsom Cup in June before finishing fourth in the G2 Mainichi Okan last time.  He should have progressed for this second run. No concern regarding the track surface.  Ideally races in midfield or rear.

9

Fenomeno

Last year’s G1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) victor finished fourth in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen last June, but was subsequently sidelined for nine months due to tendon injuries.  His reappearance brought a 5th in G2 Nikkei Sho in March,  and he beat last year’s Japanese Derby and Prix Niel winner Kizuna and this year’s G1 Takarazuka Kinen winner Gold Ship next up, to mark his back-to-back win in the Tenno Sho Spring in May.  2000m to 2400m is his best distance and he relishes a left-handed course.  Never worries in his first race up from a spell.  Races held up.

10

Pelusa

Second in 2010 Tenno Sho Autumn and third in the same race in 2011, the Kazuo Fujisawa-trained horse came off a ninth place in the G2 Mainichi Okan on 12 Oct.  Has kept  a good condition since then.  Prefers firm track and races held up.

11

Love Is Boo Shet

The five-year-old horse claimed his first graded race success in the G3 Hakodate Kinen on 20 July.  Subsequently fourth last start to Arc runner Harp Star in the G2 Sapporo Kinen on 24 August.  Races held-up and prefers a good to firm track.

12

Fragarach

The seven-year-old covered the fastest time over the last three furlong in 33.8s and finished fourth in the G2 All Comers on 28 Sept last time.  Switched from mile to middle distance since last autumn, the Durandal-sired horse showed consistent performances over the distance.  Prefers slow pace to deliver his late charge.

13

Curren Black Hill

Winner of the G1 NHK Mile Cup, G2 New Zealand Trophy and G2 Mainichi Okan at three.  He came off a seventh-place in the G2 All Comers last time on 28 Sept and can handle 2000m. Soft going is not an issue.  Settles in front or better than midfield.

14

Martinborough

The five-year-old took four wins, one second and two thirds in his seven recent starts.  Winner of the G3 Niigata Kinen on 7 Sept, he always shows a strong late kick.  Handles any surface.

15

Isla Bonita

One of the top three-year-olds this year and he will be one of the race favourites. Claimed the first leg of the triple crown, the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), then finished three-quarters of a length behind One And Only in the Japanese Derby.  He earned his fourth graded stakes win in the G2 St. Lite Kinen on 21 Sept.  Never finished worse than 2nd in his eight career starts, he will compete against older horses for the first time and is aiming to become the fourth 3yo to win the Tenno Sho Autumn.  Regular rider Masayoshi Ebina will be on Fenomeno, and Christophe Lemaire will partner him for the first time.

16

Tosen Jordan

The 2011 Tenno Sho Autumn victor finished third in the G1 Japan Cup last year.  He finished a disappointing 10th in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen last time and his form seemed not to be as impressive as it used to be.  Races better than midfield.

17

Asuka Kurichan

The seven-year-old veteran finished seventh in last year’s Hong Kong Vase, but had not won since the G2 Copa Republica Argentina last November.  He experienced a lean season this year but his condition has progressed a lot, and connections reported that the 2000m on the left-handed track will suit.  Usually held up.

18

Meiner Lacrima

After finishing 10th in the G1 Champions Mile, he returned to top form and marked his third graded stakes success in the G2 All Comers on 28 Sept.  2000m OK and has no ground issue.  Usually races handy.

 

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