Chukyo Dirt Race 1 - #3 Gran Gusto 

In a race of few chances this daughter of Duramente looks a great bet to open proceedings.

She was plain on debut at Hanshin two runs back but quickly put that effort behind her when a barnstorming second over today's course and distance three weeks ago, coming from next to last at one stage to be beaten in a photo. From a better gate today in a smaller field, Mirai Iwata can have the filly a lot closer in the run and she should be far too strong for this moderate field over the final stages.

The engagement of Iwata to take over today is significant, as he rides around one winner in every four mounts for the Takano stable.

Best of the others is Gaura who raced on the pace in the same race as Gran Gusto last start but was left in her wake, beaten 4.5 lengths. She has raced just twice and is open to improvement, particularly with Kohei Matsuyama taking the reins this time.  

Chukyo Race 9 - #1 Argine 

A small field but with three last-start winners it is an interesting contest. However, this filly looks above average and can make it two-for-two.

She debuted 19 days ago over this course and distance and lived up to the solid market support when too strong in the dying stages after travelling up on the pace. Kawada, who retains the mount on Saturday, had to use the filly a little in the early part of that race to cross from gate 14, so to do it at both ends was commendable.

By contrast, she draws the inside gate this time so should have plenty in the tank when she is called upon in the straight.

The Nakauchida/Kawada trainer/jockey combination is one of the most lethal on the circuit, with a tremendous strike-rate of 29%. Expect them to build on that number with this promising three-year-old.

Carro Veloce is the query runner. Failed as a $1.50 favourite at her last run on 24 September after a convincing win on debut. If she is back in good order expect a far better performance.

Chukyo Race 10 - #3 Tagano Kai 

Despite being the winner of just two races from 20 starts this looks a nice race for this five-year-old entire.

He opened this campaign six weeks ago with a tough third over today's course and distance, racing on the pace and giving plenty under pressure to be beaten just over a length. His peak performance from last prep is a little ahead of the number he achieved that day, so there is great scope for improvement. Kawada is riding in terrific form, with 18 winners in his last 50 rides. His engagement adds to the confidence. In the small field he will be in front or close to it, and can go on to score for the first time in around two years.

The clear danger is the consistent Stop The Time whose three runs this preparation have all been good, the last two over 2200m here. His rating last time was a shade better than the top selection's but he probably has less room for improvement. Regardless, he won't be far behind Tagano Kai in the run and will be strong through the line as usual.

Tokyo Dirt Race 9 - #3 Consigliere 

Not expecting a generous price about this impressive four-year-old but he looks head-and-shoulders above this field.

He last raced nine weeks back when fresh from a seven-month spell and obliterated his rivals by 6 lengths over this course and distance. He worked over from a very wide gate to sit second in the early stages on that occasion then quickened like a good horse at the other end. From gate three this time Lemaire will have an easier ride and this entire should be far too strong again to make it four wins from just six starts.

If there is an upset it might come from Clean Slate who is also returning from a nine-week let-up. His last fresh run was over this course and distance on 6 November when he made up many lengths to finish third. Watch for him putting in the big strides late. 

FP	Silk	Horse, Age & Sex Sire & Dam	Jockey Trainer	SP WT
1st		7. SALIERA (JPN) 4yo F DEEP IMPACT (JPN) - SALOMINA (GER)	C P LEMAIRE SAKAE KUNIEDA	$1.8 54kg
		Silk Racing Co. Ltd.
2nd		1. DOBUNE (JPN) 4yo H DEEP IMPACT (JPN) - PREMIER STEPS (IRE)	YUTAKA TAKE KOSHIRO TAKE	$3.8 56kg
		Susumu Fujita
3rd		2. YAMANIN SALVUM (JPN) 4yo H ISLA BONITA (JPN) - YAMANIN EMAILLER (JPN)	S HAMANAKA NAOYA NAKAMURA	$6.5 56kg
		Hajime Doi
4th		4. CURREN LECIEL BLEU (JPN) 5yo H HARBINGER (GB) - CURREN CHE CARINA (JPN)	K TOSAKI SHOGO YASUDA	$8.8 57kg
5th		8. SATONO AILES D'OR (JPN) 7yo H DEEP IMPACT (JPN) - MISERICORDE (GB)	AKIRA SUGAWARA SAKAE KUNIEDA	$86.9 58kg
6th		3. TO FACE (JPN) 5yo H MAURICE (JPN) - MASK OFF (JPN)	M DEMURO KOICHI SHINKAI	$9.3 57kg
7th		10. SUPER FEATHER (JPN) 8yo G DEEP IMPACT (JPN) - AWESOME FEATHER (USA)	KOSEI MIURA KUNIHIKO WATANABE	$289.9 57kg
8th		5. SEIZINGER (JPN) 7yo H DREAM JOURNEY (JPN) - SACHERTORTE (JPN)	AKIHIDE TSUMURA KAZUYA MAKITA	$214.5 57kg
9th		9. HIRUNO DAKAR (JPN) 7yo H VICTOIRE PISA (JPN) - TIME FAIR LADY (JPN)	H KITAMURA Y KITADE	$72.5 57kg
FF		6. SATONO FLAG (JPN) 6yo H DEEP IMPACT (JPN) - BALADA SALE (ARG)	HIRONOBU TANABE SAKAE KUNIEDA	$33 60kg