Three strong NAR meetings on Thursday with racing from Funabashi, Himeji and Nagoya. We've done the form and picked out our best bets for the day.
Funabashi Race 7- #2 Shiroi Suzume
Open race and one we've backed before but Shiroi Suzume keeps putting up consistent numbers that are more than capable of winning this and we should be getting another fair price. His past two starts have been his best for the Nagasei stable, running second by a nose two back before another narrow placing last start. He's got good early speed so should be able to find the front from the inside gate and if he holds that form he's going to take plenty of catching. #11 Three Cause Cry looks one of the key dangers having returned well for second.
Funabash Race 11- #7 Smile We
Really strong race here with a number of horses having contested group and listed class racing in recent runs. I'm keen to be with Smile We who had two starts for two wins last time in, taking out the Santa Anita Trophy at Ohi and the Gold Cup at Urawa, rating nearly identically in each win. He proved too strong for #2 T's Dunk at Urawa and if you go back further, he has ratings a couple of lengths better that would all but take care of these. The smoky may be #1 Gold Heuer who did beat Smile We over a mile at Ohi nearly a year ago, however his form since has been poor and he'd need to improve sharply.
Himeji Race 9- #2 Maruka Matador
Just six runners for this three-year-old contest and Maruka Matador looks the one to beat. His debut win over 820m at Sonoda was dominant, showing great pace to lead all of the way and win by 7 lengths, with a massive 30 lengths back to third. He quickly stepped to 1400m, also at Sonoda and whilst beaten at $1.30, he was only half a length off the winner and only rated down about a length off the debut. Now with a spell under the belt, expect him to come back better and expect he proves too strong out in front.
Nagoya Race 3- #8 Come Out Roll
This looks a good betting opportunity with Come Out Roll racing in good form, winning two in a row to start the campaign before stepping up to the 1700m last start and being overrun late. She drops back to 1500m which looks ideal and if she bounces back to her form prior I think she's the horse to beat. She's also unlikely to start favourite with #2 Fattore Amore bringing consistently high ratings and also coming off a $1.60 starting price last time out. I have Come Out Roll rating identically last start and able to go better dropping back to 1500m so I'm happy to be in her corner.
