Four meetings on the various NAR circuits around Japan tomorrow with Ohi (Tokyo City Keiba), Morioka, Mombetsu and Sonoda all hosting. We've picked out our best bets across the cards, with Morioka hosting some very strong racing on their turf and dirt card.
Sonoda Race 6 #1 Tokei Tannhauser
Only a small field at Sonoda but I like Tokei Tannhauser to win his second in a row after leading all the way to win over this course and distance last time out, rating similarly to his run prior when finishing second. #5 River Land actually brings the best last start rating at the weights into this but all of her form is over the 820m and she's struggled over the 1230m in the past. I think Tokei Tannhauser is the safe play who will land on speed and prove very tough to get past.
Morioka Race 7 #8 Best Feature
Our first of two bets at Morioka with this three-year-old filly taking on the older horses again after a good win last start here over 1200m despite actually rating down ever so slightly on the start prior where she ran second over 1600m. She splits the difference here and lines up over 1400m and her figures have her a leading chance in this field. She has the speed to lead them and will take plenty of running down. She also doesn't often start very short, priced at 16-1 and 6-1 her last two starts so I expect we get a good price again, whereas #2 Tsurumaru Hanako started odds-on last start and is a good chance to start favourite here, but Best Feature's ratings have her on top.
Morioka Race 10 #2 Shonan Nadeshiko
One of the better races in Japan tomorrow with big prize money and some very good horses going around, including Shonan Nadeshiko who is turning into a very good dirt horse. She comes through a listed race at Ohi and whilst she was beaten at $1.40, she stuck on gamely for third after setting a very strong tempo out in front. Her last three starts have all rated very highly and if she holds that form she should prove too strong again. #4 Teleos Bell is racing well and looks the main danger but I think Shonan Nadeshiko will get the job done.
Ohi (Tokyo City Keiba) Race 4 #4 Parfait Glace
Siding with this three-year-old filly here with Parfait Glace who looks a big chance of breaking through for her first win having had two starts here for two placings, rating well in both. She's been beaten less than a length in both starts for the new stable and a repeat of those efforts make her the hardest to beat here. She drops back to 1200m here which is a slight concern but she's shown adaptability to sit on or off the pace, so I expect her to sit midfield here and be strong late. #8 Umada Yusaku is coming off a good win and looks the logical danger but I like Parfait Glace to record her first win.