Plenty of NAR action on Tuesday with racing from Kanazawa, Mizusawa, Nagoya, Sonoda and Funabashi. We've picked out the best bets across the day.
Mizusawa Race 9- #8 Absolute Pitch
Really competitive race with four last start winners and another four all racing in very good form. Absolute Pitch was a smart winner at the course and distance last time out running very close to her absolute best and she's got plenty of upside to come having just had 12 starts as a four-year-old filly. She's started $8.60 and $5.20 at her two runs this preparation compared to a couple in this field who went around at an odds-on quote at their latest run. Absolute Pitch rates just as well if not better than them and I expect she's starting third-fourth pick in the market behind #5 Nora and #6 Born Blaisine who are racing very well but no better than Absolute Pitch.
Nagoya Race 11- #3 Avantist
The feature of the day at Nagoya with plenty of winning chances but Avantist rates highly and will take beating. He's got very strong form from his JRA days at stakes level and whilst yet to win in four starts away from the JRA, his run first up suggested he's back near his best. Beaten a head in second at Ohi over 1400m in a good race, he hasn't been to Nagoya before but if he's able to convert that run to here he's going to go close. He has some tactical speed so should settle just behind the leaders and run well. #4 Nobori Starry is in flying form, winning as an odds-on favourite last start, as did #12 I Made It, but at their best I think Avantist can have their measure.
Sonoda Race 10- #5 Tomoja Stice
Looks a race in two between Tomoja Stice and #12 Basileus City with both horses having started in the red at their last run. Tomoja Stice is now on a three run winning streak, winning two before a spell and destroying his rivals by 7 lengths first up at the course and distance. Able to control the speed there, he improved on his ratings from last time in and rates very highly against his main danger here. Tipping he gets the job done again here. Basileus City does have more upside with just 6 starts under the belt but was beaten on his merits last start and would need to run a clear new peak to beat Tomoja Stice in the form he's in.
Funabashi Race 6- #1 Soulier De Verre
No prizes for finding this mare but she looks a good thing and should be winning again here. She's won her past three, all at the course and distance and all in fine style, rating identically in each. While she may now have hit her mark, it's a pretty solid mark and the others will struggle to match it. She can either lead from barrier one or take a sit and whilst this is a touch harder with a few in form challengers, it should just mean we get a chance to back her when we haven't of late. #4 Manhattan Road likely starts second pick from #9 Mond Kaiser and whilst both have claims I think Soulier De Verre takes care of her rivals again.
