Three NAR meetings in Japan today are headlined by a good meeting at Funubashi. We've done the form and identified the best bets across the two meetings.
Funbashi Race 3 - #2 Sabito
Sabito turns up here ready to peak at his third run for the campaign and just his fifth run overall. Still a maiden but low mileage and placed three of four including latest which rated well. Jock is in good form, striking at twice his long-term rate across his past 50 runners – the best recent strike rate in the field – and we should get the right price with market resistance coming in the shape of a couple of last start winners, Resolute Sky and Siena Dia. Both won well and posted solid overall times but the bar is one that Sabito looks up to clearing.
Funubashi Race 5 - #1 Rosso Nabua
Outmuscled up to 1700m last time but comes back to 1500m now having won impressively at the course and distance two back. Draws the fence and look to press forward and lead or settle first couple. Can be backed from there to topple King Of The Nile who is sure to be popular for his new stable having broken through and won his maiden on the JRA circuit at Hanshin last time. That is good form but the yard have a modest strike rate here and he can be one to oppose with a good on pace option in Rosso Nabua.
Funubashi Race 8 - #3 Etienne
Good race with three that stand out. The pick of the trio can be Etienne who fronts up with a good winning strike rate overall which is bolstered by two wins from three at the course and two from two at the distance. Good talent and drawn to get into a great spot in the running here for Yano who strikes at 27% with the stable. Green Dial is another racing in top form and along with the well connected Taro Mandala he is feared but Etienne has ratings to match that pair and the set up to make it count.
Funubashi Race 9 - #6 Venire
One of five last-start winners in the line up but stands out from the pack on the strength of his winning time. Stopped the clock in a good hurry over 1500m having only been edged out by the in-form Etienne the start prior. Expecting that form to work out in race eight and it can continue to look good here with Venire running for high-striking connections and in need of only repeating his latest to win again. Dangers might be headed by Da Vinci who is racing well but wasn't anywhere near as fast as Venire winning last time.
