Hanshin Dirt Race 2 - #6 Sunrise Pride
This two-year-old was sent out at $1.80 on debut over 1400m at Chukyo Dirt a fortnight ago but after racing up on the speed found Asteroid Mare a shade too strong. The relatively quick back-up by the Yasuda stable is a good sign that the colt pulled up well following that run.
Coming back to 1200m looks a nice move. Yuichi Kitamura can take up a position just behind the leading division and we expect he will be too good for these in the closing stages.
The obvious danger is Silence Time who has been in the money in two career starts, both over today's track and distance. His figures in those appearances put him a little behind the top selection, but as a juvenile there is always plenty of scope for improvement.
Hanshin Race 9 - #5 Pace Setting
It is hard to fault the credentials of this colt, and he looks a nice bet despite tackling some in-form opposition.
After a very easy all-the-way maiden win over 1200m at Kokura two runs ago, trainer Takayuki Yasuda decided to test him in Grade Two company at Tokyo last start. Starting at $4.00, he settled midfield then unleashed in the run home but left it too late, finishing just 1.2 lengths away in fourth at the end of the 1400m feature.
Cristian Demuro has a good association with this stable, so it is reassuring to see him engaged. Expect class to prevail.
Tenno Message and Dancing Needle are promising fillies who are yet to miss the top-three in their brief careers. The colt might have their measure, but these progressive types will keep him honest.
Hanshin Race 12 - #4 Riad
This useful stayer is back from a ten-week break and looks perfectly placed to register a second career win.
Started at $1.70 when fresh from a spell last preparation but found the Niigata 2000m a bit short, charging home late but unable to pick up Spider Gold. This first-up assignment is in an inferior allowance race to the Niigata contest, and 2400m looks his optimum trip as he matures.
Irish jockey David Egan is riding plenty of winners and will give this son of Deep Impact every possible chance.
Blue Gate was strong late when runner-up over 2200m at Chukyo recently. She is being tried over this distance for the first time today, which looks a good option. Watch for her late in proceedings.
Nakayama Race 12 - # 10 Teegarden
The Hagiwara yard has lowered the bar of late for this genuine colt and he has responded by running on well to grab second at his last two appearances, most recently over the mile at Tokyo eight weeks ago.
The stable thought enough of the colt to test him in a Grade Two over this course and distance in April, so his recent performances in allowance races are hardly surprising. If he maintains the rating achieved at Tokyo last time, it should be enough to get him over the line against this opposition. Tom Marquand is riding well, and it adds to the confidence to see him stay aboard after partnering the colt for the first time last start.
The main threat Nishino Souvenir ran a better race last time out when ridden a lot closer to the speed. It is worth noting that Marquand rode this colt last start, and has today opted to ride Teegarden.