| Clarente |
Third behind Maurice in this race last year. Last featured in G2 Milers Cup on 24 April where he travelled close up but was unable to catch the lead and crossed the line 0.5L behind Danon Shark in 2nd. Settles better than midfield, sometimes sits handy. Likes the left handed course over mile. |
| Contentment |
Nine wins from 18 Hong Kong starts with 3 at the distance and one at 1800m. Won the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin in February. Career best effort at a mile last start when 2nd to Maurice in G1 Champions Mile. Races handily. Enjoys a quick surface. |
| Danon Shark |
First G1 win in 2014 Mile Championship. Veteran eight-year-old showed good speed to finish neck 2nd latest in G2 Milers Cup on 24 April. Trainer Ryuji Okubo claimed that he will be in prime condition in his third race up, the Yasuda Kinen. Tactically versatile. Prefers the firm track. |
| Decipher |
Won the G2 American Jockey Club Cup (2200m) in January on seasonal debut. 5th latest in G2 Nikkei Sho (2500m) in March, will target the Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) in late-June after this race. This will be his first start over the mile since May 2013, but trainer Futoshi Kojima said the horse will not be inconvenienced. A softish track will be to his advantage. Races close to the lead. |
| Fiero |
2nd in the G1 Mile Championship for two straight years and 4th in this race last year, Fiero finished 9th in the G1 Hong Kong Mile in December. First up in G2 Milers Cup on 24 April he finished 4th when running on the unfavoured outside part of the track. Hold up runner and no issue with track condition. |
| Isla Bonita |
2014 Satsuki Sho winner was 3rd in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) last year then powered to finish 3rd in the G1 Mile Championship in November. Kicked off with 9th-place in the G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) in February. Failed to pick up from good position when beaten in G2 Sankei Osaka Hai (2000m) latest on 3 April. Settles midfield. Experienced only on firm and good track. |
| Logotype |
Winner of the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes in 2012 and the G1 Satsuki Sho in 2013 but winless for more than three years since that latter win. Close to breaking that bare run when neck 2nd to Magic Time latest in the G3 Lord Derby Challenge Trophy (1600m) on 3 April. Usually sits handy. No ground concern. |
| Maurice |
Winner of this race 12 months ago. The 2015 JRA Horse of the Year is seeking his 8th consecutive win following his latest success – his second in Hong Kong – in the G1 Champions Mile at Sha Tin on 1 May. Tommy Berry will be in the saddle for the first time. Usually behind speed or midfield. Handles any going. |
| Real Steel |
Real Steel is back on Japanese turf for the first time since he claimed the G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) at Meydan, his first G1 triumph, on 26 March. Never worse than 4th in nine career starts. Yuichi Fukunaga will be in the irons. Settles midfield and all past runs were on a firm track. |
| Red Arion |
Last year’s G2 Milers Cup and G3 Sekiya Kinen (1600m) winner, Red Arion disappointed in recent five starts, including latest when 14th in the G2 Milers Cup in April. Has been working well since. Tactically versatile and no track worries. |
| Rosa Gigantea |
Winner of G2 Spring Stakes (1800m) and 4th in G1 NHK Mile Cup at 3. This five-year-old son of Fuji Kiseki came into his own since last summer, with two wins (including a G2) and two thirds in four starts. 1.75L 3rd behind Satono Aladdin in the G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup (1400m) latest on 14 May. Settles close to midfield. No ground worries. |
| Satono Aladdin |
Travelled well but struggled to stay in touch with the leaders when he finished a disappointing 11th in the G1 Hong Kong Cup last December. He bounced back to finish 3rd in the G3 Lord Derby Challenge Trophy (1600m) in April. In the subsequent G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup on 14 May, he missed the break but was able to power impressively in the stretch to capture his first Graded race. Hold-up runner. |
