NAR racing continues Wednesday with Urawa spearheading the day's racing with what should be a highly competitive Conditions race over 2000m. Nagoya and Sonoda are the other two venues holding meetings, with each offering up enticing betting opportunities.
We've cast our eye over the form and come up with our three best plays.
Nagoya Race 2 - #3 Angel One
Siding with the Shinichi Ideue-trained Angel One as our best at Nagoya. Picking up two wins in his last four starts, the three-year-old colt was forced to go back from the wide draw at the latest and struggled to warm to his task. Drawn to settle much closer to the action this time, Angel One stays over a suitable trip and reunites with Sachio Yamada – with the pair combing for two wins and a placing from three starts. Expect Angel One to stalk the pace and prove mighty hard to hold out near the line.
Sonoda Race 12 - #6 Nifty Smile
Landed on the promising three-year-old filly Nifty Smile here in what looks to be a solid Class 1 contest over 1700m. The much more experienced Bellagio Kohei looks to be the filly's immediate threat but the way this daughter of Espoir City returned here a fortnight ago suggests she is destined for greater things this campaign. Setting up similarly, hot-hand hoop Tomohiro Yoshimura sticks – shouldering an impressive 30% winning strike from his last 50 rides. What is also worth noting is the purple patch of form trainer Yoshihiro Iida finds himself in, striking at 26% from his last 50 starters.
Urawa Race 5 - #9 Sorceress
Sticking with the in-form Takayuki Yano and his mount Sorceress in what looks to be one his best chances on the card. The three-year-old filly returned in solid order fresh when battling on gamely to hold down second here over this distance. Stripping fitter second up, Sorceress takes benefit from reuniting with Yano, with the high-striking jockey boasting a 22% winning strike rate from his last 50 engagements. Without a great deal of pace in the race, Sorceress has enough speed to find the front from her draw and run them along at her own tempo.
