Hanshin Race 11 - #8 Dura 

The Grade 2 feature sees the return of this talented filly who last appeared in the Grade 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies over this trip on 11 December. A wide barrier on that occasion meant the daughter of Duramente had to be snagged back to the tail of the big field, so her effort to finish less than five lengths from Liberty Island in sixth was full of merit.

New jockey Keita Tosaki, who is building a powerful association with the Takahashi stable, should settle the filly a lot closer from the middle of the line. Expect her class to then prevail in a race with some promising types, but none proven at this level.

Kita Wing atoned for an ordinary performance in the Juvenile Fillies two starts ago with an impressive win in the Grade 3 Fairy Stakes eight weeks back over the mile at Nakayama. She will be in the leading division from an ideal alley and is sure to prove tough to reel in.

Nakayama Dirt Race 3 - #16 Cal Dawn 

It was difficult to miss the debut performance of this promising colt three weeks ago over 1600m at Tokyo Dirt. He settled midfield that day and had the job ahead as they straightened but he lengthened like a good horse only to miss by the barest margin. His rating that day puts him at the top of the pile against today's opposition, so with natural improvement he looks a stand-out.

There is plenty of pace engaged so Kosei Miura will be happy to slot in behind the pack from a wide draw. An extra 200m makes this the perfect assignment for the son of Mikki Isle to open his account.

Gold Balancer returned a figure last start to match Cal Dawn, but that was at his sixth outing so there is far less room for improvement. He is a consistent colt who goes forward and makes his own luck. If things don't work out for the top pick, he looks the one.

Nakayama Race 8 - #9 Ho O Premier 

This is a most genuine four-year-old who resumed last start in a similar race to this at Tokyo and finished second, beaten a neck after being up on the speed from the outset. After starting his career contesting longer races, the Okumura stable has switched him back to the mile at his last couple and it has worked well, with two narrow defeats.

Despite the big field there doesn't look to be a great amount of pressure on paper so Hiroyuki Uchida should have the entire either in front or box-seating. With a little natural progression from that first-up run he looks nicely placed to take this out.

Montana Agate resumed in the same race as Ho O Premier four weeks ago and made late ground to finish fourth, just over two lengths behind our top selection. He saves his best for Hanshin so, with Lemaire taking over, it would be no surprise if the gap was reduced or closed from the last meeting.

Nakayama Race 11 - #2 Naran Huleg 

Although now in the veteran category, this quality sprinter still has what it takes to win at Grade 3 level. He ventured to Sha Tin on International Day for his latest run and did very well to be beaten only four lengths by Wellington in the Hong Kong Sprint after turning with just one behind him. His last four runs have all been at the elite level and the results read extremely well. 

This is a well-worn path for the seven-year-old. He came from a wide gate and thundered home to finish second in this race last year before taking out the Grade 1 at Chukyo three weeks later. An inside alley here isn't perfect given his racing pattern, but with even luck in the run he can go one better than last season's effort.

Vento Voce is a lightly raced six-year-old who was nearly three lengths behind Naran Huleg at his last run in the Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes here at this trip in October. Lemaire goes on this time; he won a Grade 3 over 1200m at Sapporo when they last partnered in August. He loves the six-furlong trip and looks sure to be in the finish.