The best bets on Saturday shape up this way.
Chukyo Race 9 - #9 Serket
Despite being the winner of just one of her 11 starts, this genuine filly has been in the money on a further six occasions. Her latest run, which was over this course and distance a fortnight ago, looks a little disappointing at first glance as she had the drop on the leaders but didn't finish off. It was, however, her first run for five weeks and the daughter of Deep Brillante's best recent efforts have been off shorter turnarounds. She returned a very good figure when beaten a whisker two starts back, also over 2000m at Chukyo, when on a 15-day back-up. Expect the Saito stable has her cherry-ripe for this, and she can repay the punters who have sent her out as favourite at the last four outings without a collect.
Danon Jackal and Tangerine Moon look the other hopes in the race, particularly the former who resumes. His figure first-up last prep in a similar race to this puts him reasonably close to our top selection.
Hanshin Race 11 - #5 King's Reign
Talented colt back from a break. Has started just four times, placing in a newcomer on debut before winning his next two. He was then thrown in the deep end in the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at Nakayama, drawing out and getting back to near last before charging home to again find the frame.
After a good spell he resumes in easier grade today and has won both when fresh and at the journey.
If he can replicate the figure from the last run at the top level, he will be tough to hold out.
Nocking Point is a last start winner and looks the biggest threat. After finishing out of the placings in stakes grade first-up he was a dominant winner last time in easier grade. It is his first try at the 1800m but has been running on strongly and at peak fitness should be hard to stop again.
Nakayama Race 5 - #9 Antano Ballade
This filly has had an unusual preparation, regressing in distance at each appearance. She opened with a commendable sixth in the Grade 3 Fairy Stakes over the mile at this track, then worked home late to grab second two starts ago over 1400m at Tokyo. She returned to this circuit for her latest outing, an eye-catching second over today's trip when she attacked the line with venom. It is worth noting her only win came at this stage last prep.
Regular rider Hironobu Tanabe will give the three-year-old a quiet ride behind a strong tempo and she should finish over the top of her rivals.
Kurino Gogh looked a chance on the turn but ran out of condition when resuming here at this trip two weekends ago. Expect him to be a lot tougher to reel in this time around.
Nakayama Race 6 - #6 Theo
In a race that looks to have very few live chances, this talented three-year-old looks a nice bet. He opened this preparation with a fine performance in the Listed Sumire Stakes over 2200m at Hanshin four weeks back, racing up on the speed until straightening then battling on gamely to be beaten just 3.6 lengths. The step back in distance looks the right move for this bold on-pacer. More importantly, he drops to a moderate allowance race that looks a few lengths inferior to his last assignment. With natural improvement to come at the second run back he looks a bit too classy for this field.
The untapped Lebensstil poses the obvious threat at his first run for 15 weeks. His effort to win a maiden over this course and distance by 3.5 lengths at the latest run suggests he has better victories in store.