1

Rich Tapestry

Best suited to dirt and artificial surfaces but highly competitive on turf. Won G3 Mahab Al Shimaal (1200m, Tapeta) at Meydan in March 2014, followed by close 2nd to Sterling City in G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m, Tapeta) later that month. Won G1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship (1200m, dirt) at Santa Anita last October and so became the first HK runner to win in America. Gallant 3rd in Golden Shaheen in March, 2015. Last start came in May when 5th to Aerovelocity in G1 KrisFlyer International Sprint (turf, 1200m) in Singapore.  First-up not an issue. Can either lead or sit close to the pace. No ground concern.

2

Straight Girl

The first eight wins of her career all came at 1200m.  Landed her 9th win and first G1 in the Victoria Mile in May.  Good prep when 4th in G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) on 13 Sept.  Likes it firm and is able to sit handy.  Untried at Nakayama, but is very adaptable as shown in her previous outings at eight different racecourses.   

3

Little Gerda

Off-colour since her last-place finish in G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin in December 2014.  Her five starts this season have all ended in defeat, including 9th in G2 Centaur Stakes last time.  Races handy and prefers good or fast ground.

4

Sakura Gospel

Finished a disappointing 17th in G1 Yasuda Kinen latest in June but scored two graded stakes wins earlier this year - the G3 Ocean Stakes (1200m) in March and G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup (1400m) in May.  He is still fresh at seven.  Nakayama suits him as he has three wins and one second in six starts over the course.  Usually races held up.

5

Sugino Endeavour

Won the Listed Kurama Stakes (1200m) in Kyoto in May. This 7yo horse finished below par in its following three starts.  Started slowly in G3 Keeneland Cup latest on 30 August but showed a powerful late kick to finish 6th.  Usually settles at rear.

6

Ukiyono Kaze

Unbeaten over 1200m in her recent two starts - TVh Hai, an upper-class stakes race, in July and G3 Keeneland Cup at Sapporo on 30 Aug.  Sometimes starts slowly from the gate. Usually settles rear for a late run.  Enjoys firm track.

7

Bel Canto

Winner of G2 Fillies’ Revue (1400m) in March 2014.  Lost her 7 subsequent starts, but back to winning ways when cruising home in G3 Ibis Summer Dash (1000m) on 2 August. Followed up with another impressive win in G3 Kitakyushu Kinen at Kokura on 23 August. Crowned overall champion of the JRA Summer Sprint Series this year.   Usually sets the pace or sits handy.  She prefers firm going.

8

Hakusan Moon

Only three starts this year.  First-up 2nd in G3 Ocean Stakes in March, subsequently runner-up to Aerovelocity in G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen later that month.  Spelled for 5 months before making his race return in G2 Centaur Stakes when 8th.  Nakayama not a concern as he ran 2nd to sprint champion Lord Kanaloa in the 2013 renewal. Best when prominent.

9

Active Minoru

This up-and-coming 3yo claimed G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) at Hanshin latest on 13 Sept.  Has plenty of early speed and usually leads.  Prefers firm track.

10

Majin Prosper

Winless for over two years and 3rd in G3 Keeneland Cup last year being his best performance in that lean spell.  Not a factor in all five starts this season.  Ran 4th to Lord Kanaloa in the 2013 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama so track is no issue.  Usually races handy.

11

Red Oval

Close 3rd when this race was run at Niigata 12 months ago (Straight Girl in 2nd).  Failed to replicate that form in six subsequent starts but showed improvement in her two runs in August.  Has a brilliant late kick and will have a good chance if she gets a good draw. First start at Nakayama this time.

12

Uliuli

Winner of G3 CBC Sho (1200m) on heavy going, at Chukyo in July. Dwelt at the gate and jumped out last in G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) last start, but closed strongly to finish 2nd, just a nose behind winner Active Minoru.  Acts on all ground.

13

Mikki Isle

The 2014 G1 NHK Mile Cup winner fought on well to finish third in G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen in March. Well beaten after being held up in G1 Yasuda Kinen last start in June.  He has top-class ability and performs consistently in fast-paced 1400m and 1200m races.  He has no track issues and can run well fresh.  Usually sits handy.

14

Fra Angelico

Sprang a 61-1 shock last time when closing strongly for a last-to-first win in G3 Keisei Hai Autumn Handicap (1600m) at Nakayama on 13 Sept.  That was his first win at Group level. Drops down to 1200m for first time.  Usually races held up. 

15

Copano Richard

Has shown little since winning G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) in March 2014. Best performance in seven runs since being a nose 2nd in G2 Hanshin Cup (1400m) last December.  In good condition recently. Usually sits handy and has no track issue. 

16

Teehaff

Half-brother to three-time international G1 sprint winner Lucky Nine.  This 5yo horse finished in the top three in all six outings this year, the highlight being his G3 Hakodate Sprint Stakes (1200m) win in June. Had a traffic issue when 3rd latest in G3 Keeneland Cup (1200m) on 30 August. Winless in his four previous starts at Nakayama.  No ground worries.  Hold up runner.