Our best bets for Saturday.

Hanshin Race 7 - #1 Monte Dio 

Lightly raced entire long overdue for a win. Resumes from a break and looks suitably placed to find winning form fresh. Hasn't raced since leading and finding one better over 2000m before another spell but does have better figures over this longer journey.

Was Grade 2 placed four back before tackling the Grade 1 Kikuka Sho just three starts back when well held in the tougher class.

His best figures are more than capable of measuring up to this level and with leading rider Yutake Take aboard he will take running down.

The filly Ho O Vanilla was solid fresh over 2000m when fifth but will strip fitter and looks suited at the longer trip. She has drawn for a good run and does go well at the course.

Hanshin Dirt Race 11 - #6 Geraldo Barows 

Talented type who is given a chance to bounce back. Won two on end before tackling Listed grade last time and although settled off speed from a low gate, failed to threaten when seventh. That figure was many lengths off his recent form and the engagement of Kohei Matsuyama, who has three wins from four steers while aboard, is a positive sign.

The entire has three of his four career wins at this circuit on the dirt and you would expect him to be ridden positively from the gates this time as is his normal pattern. His best figures measure up to this field and he is worth another chance.

Meisho Yuruzura is a consistent type who looks a big danger. He finished among the placegetters three on end before scoring a fast finishing win in slightly easier grade last time. Although drawn wide today, he should be charging home late at the finish again.

Kokura Dirt Race 11 - #5 Silver Bread 

Last start winner who is worth following up. Lightly raced four-year-old whose record is better than it reads. Comes into this off a last start win here when going back from a wide gate and coming with a huge run to score by a space. This is a tougher assignment but hard to knock the effort last time which was a career best figure and today he drops in weight and has drawn better. With even luck he should be hard to hold out again in a wide open race.

Mikino Prince comes into the race a last start winner as well and looks the main danger. He overcame a wide draw to score last time but with a much better gate here should have an easier time on speed and give a sight.

Nakayama Race 10 - #4 Grand Line 

This consistent entire has been close to the money at both runs this preparation and looks ready to break through.

He came from the back third of the field when resuming two runs ago and was only beaten a length in an eye-catching performance. He drew the inside stall last time, so today's rider Kosei Miura pushed him forward in an unfamiliar role and he stuck on gamely for second, beaten just half a length in a similar race to this assignment.

At the third run back from a spell last prep this son of Duramente came from a seemingly hopeless position to score at this track and trip. He draws ideally and should be cherry-ripe now so it will be no surprise to see him emulate the deeds of the last campaign.

The danger is Born This Way who has also been about the mark in two runs since returning from a brief spell. This four-year-old races very well at Nakayama, although slightly longer trips see him at his best. Regardless, from the inside alley he will enjoy a nice run and will be strong through the line. 

FP	Silk	Horse, Age & Sex Sire & Dam	Jockey Trainer	SP WT
1st		3. SHAZZAN (JPN) 3yo C LORD KANALOA (JPN) - QUEENS RING (JPN)	MIRAI IWATA Y TOMOMICHI	$1.8 56kg
		Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co. Ltd.
2nd		1. SHONAN BASHITTO (JPN) 3yo C SILVER STATE (JPN) - GUILLEM (JPN)	KOHEI MATSUYAMA N SUGAI	$2.8 56kg
		Tetsuhide Kunimoto
3rd		2. AVENIR DE BRILLER (JPN) 3yo C EPIPHANEIA (JPN) - REINE DE BRILLER (JPN)	TAISEI DANNO KEISUKE MIYATA	$4.5 56kg
		Silk Racing Co. Ltd.
4th		5. SATONO CLOAK (JPN) 3yo C SATONO CROWN (JPN) - TOKO YUZUKI (JPN)	K IKEZOE SHINSUKE HASHIGUCHI	$62.4 56kg
5th		4. THEO (JPN) 3yo C SPIELBERG (JPN) - LULLA (GB)	KATSUMA SAMESHIMA HIROYUKI UEMURA	$19.8 56kg
6th		6. EZO DAIMON (JPN) 3yo C HEART'S CRY (JPN) - MEJIRO TSUBONE (JPN)	YUTAKA TAKE KOSHIRO TAKE	$13.7 56kg