Four meetings in Japan today with racing from Himeji, Kasamatsu, Ohi and Saga. We've done the form and picked out our best bets across the day.
Himeji Race 10- #5 Meisho Onite
Going to go against the likely favourites here with #3 Downtown Spica and #9 Disce Gaudere both likely to be well fancied and instead side with Meisho Onite who is looking to bounce back from a poor run last start. He wasn't terrible when beaten 5 lengths here over 1400m last start but he's shown in his JRA days that he can sprint well so the drop back in trip may look to suit. His first up win when leading all the way at Sonoda rated well and would have him the horse to beat here so if he's able to return to that form I think he presents as a good betting opportunity.
Kasamatsu Race 8- #5 Suave Seals
Only a small field but a highly competitive one at Kasmatsu with five of the seven laying legitimate claims but Suave Seals looks the one to beat and can continue on his winning ways. Successful at three of his past four starts, he's rated highly in each and is very hard to run down when he's able to lead and get his own way in front. He comes through the fastest races running a slick overall time last start, with #7 Persona Design unable to reel him in. He's a danger again, as is #3 Narino Christie but Suave Seals is a winner and if he runs his usual race I think the others will need to improve a length to beat him.
Ohi (Tokyo City Keiba) Race 8- #2 Swing
Fascinating race at Ohi with Swing coming off an awful run last start as a $1.30 favourite, finishing last and beaten nearly 14 lengths. His first up run was better when second but it was a far cry from his form prior where he won a remarkable nine starts in a row and was rating very highly at the end of last preparation. Things didn't go right for him last start but now we are likely to finally get a chance to back him, given he hasn't started longer than $1.70 in his past 11 starts. With #7 Reiri having won three from four and looking very progressive, and Swing coming off such a poor run, we should get a decent price and if he were able to recapture the form from last preparation, he'd win this comfortably.
Saga Race 5- #3 Gammo Legend
Looks a race in two here with a field of nine assembled for the three-year-olds. Gammo Legend looks the horse to beat despite being rolled as a $1.10 favourite last start. He didn't badly at all, finishing 1.25 lengths away in third but he still rated highly and his win here prior was very good. Despite being beaten he still recorded the best last start rating of any horse in this field and clearly comes through the best race which should hold him in good stead here. Jockey Isao Yamaguchi is striking at a massive 28.8% at Saga from their past 50 rides and should be able to steer Gammo Legend Home. #5 T M Matador won at $1.40 last start and will provide resistance but still has a length to find on Gammo Legend who can improve again.
