Chukyo Dirt Race 9 - #15 Unaginobori 

Doesn't boast the best winning strike-rate on the turf but made a huge impression on his return to dirt racing at Hanshin last time out. Spotted the leader a huge start when they turned for home that day then sprouted wings and swamped his rivals, running away at the end of 1200m. It was his first win over this sprint journey after being tested in longer races prior to this campaign.

This is a tougher assignment, and he is likely to be giving away a start again. However, his figure from last time is still way off his best so there is scope for improvement and he should be at his top now after two runs back.

Ile De Reve hasn't been far away at his last two starts and has also been finding the line strongly. With leading rider Mirai Iwata back aboard, watch for him to be charging home late as well.

Hanshin Dirt Race 7 - #9 Scipio 

They say always forgive a good horse one bad run. This five-year-old last appeared eight weeks ago when he was eased out of the contest at Chukyo Dirt as a $3.30 second favourite. Prior to that run he had recorded a couple of minor placings in 1400m races similar to this, featuring prominently in the betting on each occasion.

His overall record at 1400m is outstanding, with five wins and those two minor placings from eight attempts. The entire's peak rating puts him a few lengths ahead of today's rivals. Trust that the Hamada stable has ironed out his issue from the last run. If they have him anywhere near right, he should take care of this field.

Etoile Sienne showed pace but wilted late and missed the placings when resuming over this course and distance a fortnight ago. She strips fitter today and it is worth noting the filly's only win came at this stage of the campaign.

Nakayama Race 5 - #2 Ar Vienne 

This lightly raced filly really caught the eye when she returned from a 15-week spell last start over 1600m at Tokyo, coming from near the rear when they straightened to get up for fourth, less than a length from the winner. She generally races near the pace, but from a wide alley Joao Moreira had limited options. From gate two this time, new jockey Yuga Kawada can settle the daughter of Daiwa Major far closer to the speed, particularly over the extra furlong.

Her rating first-up was a new high, suggesting the Hayashi stable has her firing. Under far more favourable conditions today she is all set to open her account.

Galestro is a danger despite missing the placings as a $1.90 favourite first-up over this distance at Tokyo. Drawing wide again will give Lemaire some decisions to make early on, but with even luck this sparingly raced colt is a genuine contender.

Nakayama Race 7 - #5 May Tesoro 

It has been a fruitful maiden campaign for this three-year-old who has been to the races five times and filled a top-three position on each occasion.

The sole win came two runs back, a comfortable victory in a 2100m maiden at Tokyo Dirt. He was then stepped up to a stronger allowance race than he strikes today and performed admirably, beaten just half a length over 2200m at this course after settling near the lead. The shorter trip and step back in class are key to his chances. Keita Tosaki, who scored on him at Tokyo, is back aboard and should give the son of Mikki Rocket the gun-run from gate five. He looks ideally placed to add to his fine record.

The filly Pixilation is the query runner. She has only raced once and scored with authority in a Newcomers' race over today's trip at this circuit. Her level of natural improvement is hard to gauge, but the debut figure was good, and she is clearly above average.

FP	Silk	Horse, Age & Sex Sire & Dam	Jockey Trainer	SP WT
1st		9. GEMINI KING (JPN) 7yo G TRANSCEND (JPN) - PISCES QUEEN (JPN)	YUTA ONODERA T HATTORI	$92.5 60kg
		Katsutoshi Miyake
2nd		3. LORD AQUA (JPN) 7yo H LORD KANALOA (JPN) - EAU SUPER (JPN)	YOSHIYASU NAMBA NAOYA NAKAMURA	$13.6 60kg
		Lord Horse Club Co. Ltd.
3rd		2. NISHINO DAISY (JPN) 7yo H HARBINGER (GB) - NISHINO HINAGIKU (JPN)	S ISHIGAMI N TAKAGI	$2.2 62kg
		Shigeyuki Nishiyama
4th		7. MIKKI METEO (JPN) 6yo H RULERSHIP (JPN) - METEORICA (JPN)	Y IGARASHI YUICHIRO NISHIDA	$3.3 60kg
5th		11. XENOVERSE (JPN) 6yo H DEEP IMPACT (JPN) - RHYTHM OF LIGHT (GB)	KAZUMA MORI SHINYA KOBAYASHI	$4.2 61kg
6th		10. MEINER LEONE (JPN) 11yo H STAY GOLD (JPN) - WEMBLEY (JPN)	T KOSAKA HIROO SHIMIZU	$36.8 60kg
7th		4. PORTOLANO (JPN) 7yo G ORFEVRE (JPN) - PORTOFINO (JPN)	YASUNORI MINOSHIMA K HAGIWARA	$88.8 60kg
8th		1. KEN HOVAWART (JPN) 10yo H MARVELOUS SUNDAY (JPN) - EISHIN PANSY (JPN)	S KUMAZAWA HIDEYUKI MORI	$19.6 60kg
9th		8. MANI (JPN) 7yo H ADMIRE MOON (JPN) - NAIADE (JPN)	KAYATA KOMAKI I SAMESHIMA	$145.9 61kg
10th		6. LEO BEYOND (JPN) 7yo H DUNKIRK (USA) - WATASHI MATTERUWA (JPN)	KENJI HIRASAWA DAISUKE TAKAYANAGI	$23.6 60kg
11th		12. MEINER PARADIS (JPN) 9yo G SCREEN HERO (JPN) - ROWAASI (GB)	Y KUROIWA N YOSHIDA	$290.6 60kg
FF		5. MUSCLE BEACH (JPN) 7yo H MEISHO SAMSON (JPN) - COURONNE D'OR (JPN)	S KITAZAWA TAKASHI SUZUKI	$21.2 60kg