Just the three NAR meetings install for Japan on Wednesday with racing from Kasamatsu, Kawasaki and Sonoda. We've done the form and landed on our best bets from each of the cards.
Kasamatsu Race 2 - #2 Aspettativa
Looking to strike early on the Kasamatsu card where we are putting out trust in in-form hoop Tatsuya Watanabe and his mount Aspettativa in race two. The four-year-old entire returned in solid order here a fortnight ago when sticking on gamely to hold down second. Stripping fitter second up, the son of Screen Hero is drawn ideally in barrier two while his immediate threat and likely market favourite Nazar Boncugu is drawn sticky in eight. Expecting Aspettativa to get a cosy run in behind the solid early tempo that Nazar Boncugu is going to set after having to burn across from the gate and be too strong for him in the run home.
Sonoda Race 6 - #3 Alma Imeru
Hard to look past the form of Alma Imeru in race six at Sonoda and he picks himself as our best bet on the 12-race card. The four-year-old went desperately close to making three on the bounce last time at Himeji, only to be captured on the line and fall a lip shy. Alma Imeru has great tactical speed and will waste little time finding the front from barrier three under his talented rider Manabu Tanaka. His main threat Estrella Blanca is capable of much better than her fresh performance suggests but will be giving our top pick too much of a head start. Expecting Alma Imeru to lead the whole way.
Kawasaki Race 11 - #1 Oh My Goodness
We head to the feature event at Kawasaki in race 11 where the three-year-old colts lock horns and battle it out over the mile for over $280 000 AUD. In what is obviously one of the more competitive events of the day, I was really impressed with the return of Oh My Goodness at the latest, so much so he stands as our best bet on the card. The son of Makfi didn't pay the punters first up when sent out public elect at Funabashi but showed plenty of heart in the way he held onto a minor placing after drawing wide. Drawn to advantage now, Oh My Goodness should get the perfect run behind an anticipated hot early tempo and conserve his energy before letting rip to get the verdict.
