Blaze A Trail

Winless since September 2013 and yet to win at grade level. Comes off 4th last time in G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup (1400m) on 16 May.  Races from midfield or better and relishes firm track.

Clarente

Very consistent runner over 1400m to 1800m. Took two G3 mile handicaps in Sekiya Kinen and Keisei Hai Autumn Handicap last year.  But he has been below par since then.  Finished 10th latest in G2 Yomiuri Milers Cup on 26 April.  He likes a left-handed course and the trainer is happy with his condition.  Usually settles better than midfield and he handles ground from firm to soft.

Curren Black Hill

Grabbed his 5th graded stakes win in G3 Kokura Daishoten (1800m) off top weight of 128lbs on 22 February. Comes off an eighth-place in G2 Sankei Osaka Hai (2000m) at Hanshin on 5 April latest.  With five wins at the mile, including his G1 NHK Mile Cup win at Tokyo in 2012, this should be his best distance.  Usually sits handy.  No track worries.

Daiwa Maggiore

Has ended his 10-race losing streak when winning the G3 Hankyu Hai (1400m) on 1 March. A sluggish start cost his chance in G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen when 6th behind Aerovelocity.  Showed little last time when he ran 10th in G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup (1400m) on 16 May.  He breaks slowly sometimes and usually settles rear.  No surface issues.

Danon Shark

Always recognized as a competitive runner at this level, ran 3rd and 4th in this race in 2013 and 2014 respectively.  Grabbed his first G1 triumph in the Mile Championship last November.  Failed to cope with the very soft track in his last run when 5th in G3 Hankyu Hai (1400m) at Hanshin in March.  Races rear but sometimes close to the lead.  Relishes firm track.

Extra End

Will return from a short spell since placing 4th in G2 Yomiuri Milers Cup on 26 April.  Last year’s G3 Kyoto Kimpai (1600m) winner has kept his good condition.  Usually settles rear. Can handle tracks from firm to soft.

Fiero

Unplaced only three times in his 14 career starts. Spelled for four months after his 6th behind Able Friend in G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile last December. Ran half-length 3rd in his race reappearance in G2 Yomiuri Milers Cup on 26 April.  Moves out nicely from rear position and versatile ground-wise.

Keiai Elegant

Spelled for three months after winning G3 Kyoto Himba Stakes (1600m) in January. This mare was sent to post as the 12th pick in G1 Victoria Mile at Tokyo last time, on 17 May.  But she travelled nicely from second position and steadily closed in the stretch, before race winner Straight Girl got the better of her at the finish line.  Usually sits handy and she prefers firm track.

Maurice

Won three races in a row. Took his first graded stakes success last time in G3 Lord Derby Challenge Trophy (1600m) at Nakayama on 5 April, where he covered the last three furlongs in an impressive time of 33.0s and won the race by 3.5l.  Showed great turn of foot, likely to be a competitive runner at this level.  Races close to rear.  Can also handle yielding surface.

Meisho Mambo

Three-time G1 winner at 3, but has been winless since her win in G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup in 2013.  This 5yo mare seems to have lost her brilliance.  Finished well below par in her latest six starts, including most recently when 17th in G1 Victoria Mile at Tokyo on 17 May.  Hold-up runner.  Can handle heavier track.

Mikki Isle

Winner of NHK Mile Cup last year.  This 4yo colt possesses plenty of speed. Fought on well last time when half-length 3rd behind Aerovelocity in G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen on 29 March, where he raced over 1200m for the first time on a rain-affected track. Five in six wins were over 1600m. Can either lead or sit handy.  Versatile ground-wise.

Real Impact

Winner of this race in 2011, as a 3yo.  Defeated Criterion to capture his first overseas G1 win in George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on 21 March.  His subsequent run saw him finish 2nd in G1 Doncaster Mile at Randwick on 6 April last time.   Will be making his first appearance since return to Japan. Usually takes a position better than midfield, sometimes sits handy.  Can handle any track.

Red Arion

This 5yo horse is in hot form, being undefeated in his two starts this year, including last time when he captured his first graded stakes success in G2 Yomiuri Milers Cup on 26 April.  Tactically versatile.  He can handle firm and good surface.

Sakura Gospel

Showed strong acceleration when notching his 9th career win last time in G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup (1400m) on 16 May.  This seven-year-old entire is always fresh and is very versatile. Best at 1200m and 1400m, so the mile will be a small question mark for him.  Having said that, he ran 5th in the 2013 renewal here.  No track worries.

Satono Gallant

Never successful at graded level before.  His best effort was 1.25l 3rd behind winner Clarente, and Danon Shark in 2nd, in G3 Sekiya Kinen (1600m) at Niigata last August.  He won the Listed Tanigawadake Stakes (1600m) at Niigata on 3 May latest.  Hold-up runner. Performs best on firm track.

Sunrise Major

Returned from a five-month layoff and finished a running-on 2nd in G2 Yomiuri Milers Cup on 26 April latest.  He has come into his own at six now with a win, three seconds and a third in his five recent starts.  Tactically versatile.  Has no track issues.

Vincennes

Scored a fourth straight win in the G3 Tokyo Shimbun Hai (1600m) in February.  Encountered slow pace but covered the fastest fractional time of 32.7s over the last three furlongs when 2nd in G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup on 16 May.  Hold up runner and relishes softer track.