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Takarazuka Kinen �V Form Comments

23/06/2016

G1 - 2200m - Turf

1

Fame Game

Useful stayer and was unsuccessful in Australia late last season including in G1 Melbourne Cup.  Ran 4L 2nd under top-weight in G3 Diamond Stakes (3400m) on seasonal debut in February.  Fair 8th behind Kitasan Black latest in G1 Tenno Sho Spring in May.  Hold-up runner.  Handles firm and good ground.

2

Ambitious

Fought well to finish neck 2nd behind Duramente in G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) in February.  Sat handy and showed impressive effort last time when winning G2 Sankei Osaka Hai (2000m) at course on 3 April.  Untried at distance.  Raced only on firm tracks.

3

Kitasan Black

Won G1 Kikuka Sho (3000m) last year.  Dominated and made all last time in G1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) in May. Won most votes from Japanese fans to be selected to run in this race. Mixes speed and stamina and an uncomplicated ride.  Can race prominent or sit handy. 

4

One And Only

Winner of G1 Japanese Derby in June, 2014, but winless since September that year. 6th first-up this term in a G2 at Kyoto in February and subsequently 5th in G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) in March.  With power and stamina the Hanshin track should suit him.  Tactically versatile but has raced close up in recent starts. No ground issues.

5

Cheval Grand

Won 3 consecutive class races last autumn/winter. In fine form three starts this year. 1st-up 2nd in G2 Nikkei Shinshun Hai (2400m) in January and claimed his first graded success in the G2 Hanshin Daishoten (3000m) in March.  Latest 1.25L 3rd behind Kitasan Black in G1 Tenno Sho Spring.  Hold-up runner.

6

Last Impact

Runner-up in G1 Japan Cup last year.  Two starts so far this season including when 3rd under Joao Moreira in G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) last time.  Usually held up but sometimes sits handy.  Relishes firm track.

7

Lovely Day

Defending champion.  Claimed his first G1 win here last year, subsequently added G1 Tenno Sho Autumn in November.  Fair performances in his two starts this season, including latest when he ran 4th on an unsuitably wet Sha Tin track in G1 APQEII Cup in April.  Well-suited to this distance.  Settles midfield or better than midfield. 

8

Staphanos

Spelled for 6 months after 10th behind A Shin Hikari in G1 LONGINES HK Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin last December. Returned in G3 Naruo Kinen (2000m) on 4 June, fought on well to run neck 2nd behind Satono Noblesse. Hold-up runner and no track worries.

9

Duramente

Last season’s champion 3yo colt. Won impressively in G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) in February. Ran on three shoes in G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) in March and ran gusty race but outpointed in 2nd behind British star Postponed. The latter boasted form with another G1 win at Epsom this month.  Settles either midfield or in rear.

10

Curren Mirotic

Winless since November 2013. Produced his best effort for a long while last time when a nose 2nd to Kitasan Black in G1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) at Kyoto, proving still capable at age 8.  3 wins and 4 placings in 13 starts at Hanshin. Acts on fast ground.  Usually settles close to the lead.

11

Toho Jackal

Winner of 2014 G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger).  Spelled for 9 months and returned for a 7th in G2 Hanshin Daishoten (3000m) in March. Covered some ground last time when 5th in G1 Tenno Sho Spring in May.  Settles midfield or better than midfield.  No track worries.

12

Satono Noblesse

2 wins from 4 runs this season. 1st-up 3rd in G2 Nikkei Shinshun Hai (2400m) in January then won G3 Chunichi Shimbun Hai (2000m) in March. Set track record last time at Hanshin in the G3 Naruo Kinen (2000m) on 4 June.  Usually settles midfield or better.  Prefers firm track. 

13

Touching Speech

3rd in G1 QEII Cup over this distance last year.  This 4yo filly has competed against her main counterparts in all three starts this year.  Seasonal debut when 3L 2nd to Satono Crown in G2 Kyoto Kinen (2200m) in February. Most recently 6th in G2 Meguro Kinen (2500m) at Tokyo in May.  Saves for a late run.  No ground issue.

14

Hit The Target

Spelled for 5 months since 13th in G1 Arima Kinen (2500m) last December.  Showed better form on return when 1L 3rd in G2 Meguro Kinen (2500m) at Tokyo in May.  Hold-up runner.  Handles all surfaces.

15

Satono Crown

Multiple graded race winner. 3rd to Duramente in G1 Japanese Derby (2400m) last year.  Won his seasonal debut over this distance, in G2 Kyoto Kinen on yielding ground in February. Flopped last time when 12th in G1 APQEII Cup on a softish Sha Tin track on 24 April.  Reportedly trained well after returning to Japan and is now in good form.  Races held up. 

16

Marialite

Claimed her first G1 victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup over this distance last autumn. The five-year-old mare has competed well against colts/horses when 4th in G1 Arima Kinen (2500m) in December and when neck 2nd in G2 Meguro Kinen (2500m) last month. Hold-up runner.  Relishes softer ground. 

17

Yamakatsu Ace

Won twice at G3 level last winter including the G3 Nakayama Kim Pai (2000m) in January. This 4yo ran 5th in G2 Kyoto Kinen (2200m) in February and comes in off a 6th place in G3 Naruo Kinen (2000m) in June.  Races from the rear. No track concern. 

 

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