1

Lovely Day

Will be seeking for his 5th consecutive win in this race. Winner of G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) in June, he captured his second G1 victory, in an impressive style, last time in Tenno Sho Autumn on 1 Nov.  Races towards the pace. 

2

Trip To Paris

The career highlight of this 4yo gelding came when he won the G1 Ascot Gold Cup (4000m) in June.  Sent to race in Australia in autumn, first finished 0.5L 2nd to Mongolian Khan in G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), then 2L 4th to Prince Of Penzance in G1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). Three of his four wins on turf were over good to firm. Yet to test over softish track. 

3

One And Only

Last year’s Japanese Derby winner seems to lose his brilliance since he ran 3rd in G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) in March.  But the 2400m at Tokyo, where he won the Derby, must work to his advantage.  He has worked well since finishing 16th in Tenno Sho Autumn last time.   Hold up runner and can handle softer track.

4

Jungle Cruise

This 6yo gelding has not yet won at graded level.  Just raced twice this season, including when Joao Moreira rode him for a win in the 2nd leg of World All-Star Jockeys (2000m, turf) at Sapporo on 29 August latest.  Usually held up.  No track worries.

5

Pelusa

Pelusa grabbed his 5th career win in Listed Sapporo Nikkei Open (2600m) in August, his first win for over 5 years.  Showed strong acceleration in the closing stage of Tenno Sho Autumn last time on 1 Nov, but it was too late and he ran 7th.  Showed improvements in recent starts.  Hold up runner and has raced only on firm and good track.

6

Last Impact

This three-time graded race winner ran four times this season, the best being his 3rd in G2 Hanshin Daishoten (3000m) in March.  He has been unplaced in the following three starts including 12th in G1 Tenno Sho Autumn latest.  Hold up runner and no track worries.  Ryan Moore will be on board.

7

Shonan Bach

Having raced over from 1400m to 2500m in his career, the four-year-old colt has won six times in 17 starts.  He came off to win the upper-class November Stakes (2000m, turf) at Tokyo on 7 Nov latest.  Hold up runner and versatile ground-wise.

8

Erupt

The three-year-old colt grabbed his first G1 triumph in the Grand Prix de Paris in July, and came off a 5th place to Golden Horn in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October latest.  Just raced once on heavy track when he ran 4th behind New Bay in Arc’s prepping race, G2 Prix Niel (2400m) in September.

9

Derby Fizz

Winner of G3 Hakodate Kinen (2000m) in July and finished 3rd in G2 Sapporo Kinen (2000m) subsequently in August.  However he failed to make any impression when finished 15th in G1 Tenno Sho Autumn latest on 1 Nov.  Hold up runner.  No track worries.

10

Sounds Of Earth

Runner-up of last year’s G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger), Sounds Of Earth qualified to run in the Japan Cup after finishing 2nd in G2 Kyoto Daishoten in October.  This will be his second up in his autumn campaign.  Usually held up and appreciates firmer track. 

11

Mikki Queen

Winner of 4 from 7 starts. She could be the prospective champion three-year-old filly of the year with her wins in G1 Japanese Oaks (2400m) and G1 Shuka Sho (2000m) this year.  She has returned to Ritto Training Centre on 13 November and looks to be sharpened up as approaching the race.  Usually held up and versatile ground-wise.

12

Gold Ship

With six JRA’s G1 wins in his career, Gold Ship will have his first race this autumn since he ran 15th in G1 Takarazuka Kinen in June.  In that race he missed the break and needed to work early to try make up ground from the rear.  The six-year-old horse keeps good form lately.  Hold up runner.  No ground worries.

13

Hit The Target

With four graded stakes title under his belt, the seven-year-old ended his 18-month losing streak when winning G2 Meguro Kinen (2500m) at Tokyo in May.  Finished 2nd in  G2 Sapporo Kinen (2000m) in August latest.  Hold up runner. 

14

Ito

One of the two German raiders in this race. This 4yo colt has six wins in ten starts and he came off to Japan with a win in G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern (2400m) on 1 Nov.  In that race, Ito set the pace and maintained the safety margin to the finish with a comfortable 4L win.  Soft/heavy ground a plus.  

15

Shonan Pandora

One of the top-class four-year-old fillies. Winner of G1 Shuka Sho in October 2014, she was able to prove that victory was not a fluke when she finished 3rd to Lovely Day in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen in June, again to that horse when 4th last time in Tenno Sho Autumn.  That was sandwiched by a win in G2 All Comers (2200m) at Nakayama in Septmber. Hold up runner.  No track worries.  The 2400m at Tokyo should be her best trip.

16

Curren Mirotic

Ran 3rd in G1 Tenno Sho Spring in May, he was well beaten in 13th last time in G1 Tenno Sho Autumn on 1 Nov.  Finished 3rd over this distance in G2 Kyoto Daishoten two starts ago.  Usually races close to the speed.  Suited by a firm track.

17

Admire Deus

Winner of G2 Nikkei Sho in March, Admire Deus travelled wide and never showed his race when he finished 11th in G1 Tenno Sho Autumn latest on 1 Nov. Hold up runner and relishes firm track.

18

Nightflower

Two wins and five seconds in eight career starts.  This 3yo filly captured her first G1 triumph in Preis von Europa on 27 Sep, where she pulled away to win by 2L.  Her two career wins were from good and soft ground.