Albert

Atsunori Hashimoto, assistant trainer
“On October 25th, his weight was 486 kg and he looked a little heavy, but he’s very well in himself. There was obviously some tiredness after he’d run in the Tenno Sho (Spring), but his recent work in training has been good. He’s a horse we’ve had some leeway with, and that’s been good. The opposition was strong in his race in the spring Grade 1 and this time it’s a Grade 2, so I think he should be fine taking on the field here. The distance will suit, and even with 57 kg in the handicap, there are other horses with similar weight or more.”

Cheval Grand

Yasuo Tomomichi, trainer
“He fought pretty well in his first Grade 1 (Tenno Sho (Spring)) which was pleasing.  After the Takarazuka Kinen, in the hot weather conditions, there was obviously some tiredness, but he didn’t really show it. We passed on the Kyoto Daishoten as I just wanted him to tell us when he was ready. He’s in top shape now, and he’s a horse I have no worries about. His work on the woodchip course on October 27th was good. As we’re thinking about the Japan Cup next, I hope he’ll run well here.”

Hidekatsu Shimizu, trainer
“In terms of his condition, he’s doing well for an 8-year-old at this time of year. He’s still able to run as if he’s much younger. With the weight he’s allotted in the handicap, we’ll see just what kind of an effort he can put in here.”

Courir Kaiser

Ikuo Aizawa, trainer
“He came back from the farm at the beginning of October. He’s handled the work at uphill course well in training and I think by the time of the race he’ll be fine. He’s finished second in this race before, so I’ve no concerns with the track and the distance. I’d like to see him in a forward position, racing the best he can.”

Hironobu Tanabe, jockey
“He can be a bit mischievous, but got back to running well when he finished fourth in the (Sankei Sho) All Comers last time. He’s run over the track and the distance a number of times, so that won’t be a problem. I think he can adjust to carrying the 57 kg, with other runners carrying a similar weight or more.”

Fame Game

Yoshitada Munakata, trainer
“It was a problem when we fitted the cheekpieces, as it didn’t seem to help him. In the Takarazuka Kinen he didn’t take the bit and didn’t want to race at all. He has since been gelded, and on returning to the stable he was about 10 kg lighter. He’s more relaxed now, but it’s taken just a bit of time to get him back again. He looks like being around 460 kg going into the race. He finished second in this year’s Diamond Stakes carrying 58.5 kg, so he’s used to carrying the sort of weight he’ll have here. I think it’s also a plus that jockey (Hiroshi) Kitamura will be riding him.”

Festive Yell

Yoshihiro Hatakeyama, trainer
“When he returned from the farm, he was in good shape this time, and his latest work was pleasing. Of course, he’s in here with big race winners and the opposition’s strong, but with a reasonably light weight he has a bit of an advantage and I want him to give a good account of himself in the race.”

Meiner Medalist

Kiyotaka Tanaka, trainer
“I think the distance of 2,500 meters this time is better than the previous 2,200 meters, and will make it easier for him. For a horse of his age, he still seems to have power. He doesn’t need a fast pace, and hopefully, if that’s the case, he’ll be able to adjust to the flow of things and run a good race.”

Takahisa Tezuka, trainer
“The ground was a bit soft last week in training, but his time was just right considering.  This week he’s done well also. The jockey has a good opinion of him. The horse ran well in this year’s Meguro Kinen, and he’s probably in better shape now. The opposition could be stronger this time though, and it’s a handicap as well, but we hope he can boost his prize money here for future races he might get to run in.”

Mousquetaire

Yasuo Tomomichi, trainer
“Even though he’s an 8-year-old, he runs like a younger horse. Travelling left-handed over this distance would be the best for him. I want to see him do his best here.”

One and Only

Shinsuke Hashiguchi, trainer
“He’s been working well in tandem on the woodchip course in recent training. His head position has been lower and therefore better, and he looks to be in good condition. It’s important that in the race he gets a good start and is ridden with a rhythm he’s good with, and that he just tries to get a little more ahead. When you think of the long Tokyo home straight, I want him to be more forward in the race.”

Yoshinori Muto, trainer
“He’s refreshed and lost his tiredness, and looks ready to run. He ran well in Open Class last time and I think can run well here. He’s won at Tokyo before which has pleased me.  I think he needs to be up front in the race, and that way he’ll be able to handle the other strong horses in the race and take them on. Ideally, he’d weigh about 530 kg going into the race.”

Hidetaka Otonashi, trainer
“He’s improving and has done well in training, and it’s a question of how good a performance he can put in here. He’s in similar condition to when running well in the Meguro Kinen, and it’s his second race after a spell, so I’m wondering just what he’s capable of this time.”

Shonan Bach

Hiroyuki Uehara, trainer
“I don’t think the distance is a problem with him. He got to run his own race last time and I think will come on for it, providing he gets into the flow of the race. There’s no disadvantage for him in the handicap, and it would be good to see him show his strength here.”

Tatsuhiko Ishikuri, trainer
“Everything’s been satisfactory with him in training. He’s managed to lose some of the stiffness after his last race. I think going left-handed suits him and the long distance is fine. The light weight he has is good also.”

Yasuo Tomomichi, trainer
“He’s a horse that gets into his races well, and has the ability to really finish off well. I think distance wise and going left-handed are fine. He has the ability to tackle a race like this, and being a handicap won’t be any disadvantage. I’m looking forward to the race with him.”