Just the three NAR meetings taking place on Thursday in Japan with Himeji, Ohi (Tokyo City Keiba) and Kasamatsu the hosts. The 12-race card at Ohi (Tokyo City Keiba) attracts the most interest with a 1400m Conditions event headlining the meeting that sees boys battle it out for over $240 00 AUD.
The form's been done and we've come up with our best bet for each of the cards.
Himeji Race 10 - #4 Great Showman
We have to wait until late in the card but we have sided with Great Showman as our best at Himeji. The four-year-old entire showed great tactical speed fresh here when making his track debut over the 1400m, only to be captured in the run home. Sure to benefit with that run under his belt and strips fitter second-up where he holds a solid record. His main threats Mabu Eagle and Catrul present as his main threats but look to have forgotten how to win with a stack of minor finishes next to their name. Expect Master Showman to settle ahead of them under the guidance of in-form hoop Manabu Tanaka and prove too tough to reel in.
Kasamatsu Race 7 - #9 High Life
Putting our trust in leading rider Tatsuya Watanabe to get the job done for us at Kasamatsu aboard High Life. The talented jockey has continued his good form of late, shouldering an impressive 32% winning strike rate from his last 50 engagements. Watanabe reunites with this mare after piloting her to a dominant fresh victory here over 1400m. The extra 200m shouldn't bother. Expect her to give last start winner's Proud Lineage and Tooth And Nail a slight head start before rounding them up in the run home.
Ohi (Tokyo City Keiba) Race 7 - #3 Horsemanship
Horsemanship caught the eye at the latest when flashing home into the placings after settling a long way off them. The three-year-old colt is drawn to settle closer to the action this time and has proven in the past he can race prominently, as seen when leading all the way on debut over the track and trip last campaign. The resuming For Cap looks the immediate danger but with no first-up win next to his name I'm expecting Horsemanship to prove too sharp and too fit in his third run.
