Adam Barows

Koichi Tsunoda, trainer
“He’s moved well in training and his breathing’s good. He’s not a horse with great finishing speed, so more of a stamina testing race would suit him.”

Fumiaki Shibahara, assistant trainer
“Before his last race, his work in training had improved, and he’s steadily becoming more mature. As for the 3,000 meters, we won’t know until we try. I don’t think he has to lead, but just to get a handy position early would be ideal, and then get him relaxed. It would be good to get an inside draw.”

Al Ain

Yasutoshi Ikee, trainer
“He’s trained well, and he’s a horse we have flexibility with in training, and he responds well to this. Last time he was coming back from a break, and it showed in the final stages of the race. But now he’s been trained with the 3,000 meters in mind, and we can look forward to the race with confidence. I feel he has improved and, while we don’t know for sure about staying the trip, pedigree-wise it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Hiroshi Kanetake, assistant trainer
“He was plus 10kgs for his last race, so he was a little heavy, and the jockey reported that as well. But I think he’s now better after that race.”

Christophe Lemaire, jockey
“The horse is in good condition and is relaxed, while running with good rhythm. I think he can handle the 3,000 meters, at any pace, and running from any position. I’m not worried about the ground either. Of course, other horses are improving at this time of year too, but I’m confident.”

Best Approach

Nobuyuki Tashiro, assistant trainer
“He’s looked a lot sharper in training, and as for the race itself, I don’t think he’ll have any problems adjusting to things, and the 3,000 meters might suit him more than some of the others. He used to get a little restless beforehand, but when he’s on the track he should be fine. He might have only won one race, but he hasn’t been beaten by much. I think he has a chance if things go right for him here.”

Bless Journey

Shozo Sasaki, trainer
“In training, he’s posted good times, with a good final furlong reaction. He’s shown consistency in his races so far, and while you could think of him as a mid-distance horse, I think he can adjust and prove that he is capable of seeing out this longer trip. Of course, it’s been a long time since he last ran, but I’m pleased with where we’ve got him to now and the condition he’s in.”

Clincher

Hiroshi Miyamoto, trainer
“He’s a horse that has plenty of stamina, and using that to his best ability is the key. This week he’s trained up the hill with his jockey in the race. If things go his way on the day, his persistency will hopefully pay off.”

Yusuke Fujioka, jockey
“He was coming off a break last time, but he felt sharp nonetheless. It’s 3,000 meters this time, but he’s a horse with stamina.”

Danburite

Hidetaka Otonashi, trainer
“He was plus 16kgs for his last race, and now after that he’s about the same weight, but I put this down to him growing and developing, and he’ll be about the same going into this race. I see no problem with the distance and it’s the same for all the other runners. The jockey (Yutaka Take) has ridden him a number of times, and I’m sure he’ll give him a good ride over this trip as well.”

Yutaka Take, jockey
“He’s posted fast times in training, and his last result was probably due to his break. I think he’s improved since his races in the spring, and he’s at no disadvantage over the distance with all the other horses in the same situation. It’s important to get him relaxed and settled into a position early on, and then I think he’ll have a good chance.”

Kiseki

Katsuhiko Sumii, trainer
“In the spring, his hindquarters were too soft. He had intervals between races which didn’t help him. But now he’s in good condition, as a horse needs to be going into a Grade 1. He’s especially stronger mentally. We don’t know how any of the horses will handle the 3,000 meters.”

Yasuyuki Tsujino, assistant trainer
“He’s a lot more relaxed now and easier to control. One key now is to just keep his appetite up prior to the race.”

Mirco Demuro, jockey
“He’s in great shape and hasn’t changed since last time. Between the third and fourth corners last time, things weren’t so smooth, but he ran on well at the finish. I see no problem with the distance, as he settled well over 2,400 meters in his last race. He can pull a little, and it is important to get him into the flow of the race. Somewhere mid-division would be good. If the turf’s heavy, I don’t think it will be a problem. He’s a good, strong horse which gives me confidence.”

Yoshitada Takahashi, trainer
“He’s come out of his last race so well, and what’s more, he’s recovered quickly. He now seems strong mentally too. Obviously the opposition’s strong and it will be a tough race, but I believe he should have a go at this Grade 1 while he’s in such form, and I look forward to what he can do here.”

Takahiro Mizuno, trainer
“He did his hard work last week, and this week we’ve just kept him ticking over. I think he’s fine with the distance of the race, as he doesn’t give up easily and has stamina on his side. Given these factors, I’m looking forward to what he can do, but he is still young, both mentally and physically.”

Mikki Swallow

Takanori Kikuzawa, trainer
“In training he’s done well working with two other horses, and we’ve had him chasing a horse in front, and have been careful in not overworking him. He was a little tired after his last race, but he did surprise me with the turn of foot he showed. He’s matured a bit, and hopefully he’ll behave himself. He has been a little unruly before. He seems in good shape now, his breathing’s good, and I just want him to run a good race over the 3,000 meters.”

My Style

Mitsugu Kon, trainer
“He finished fourth in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), and the first three home are not in the line-up this time, so I think that’s something to bear in mind. While he has no experience at the distance, it’s the same for the other horses and we don’t know what to expect. The key will be how the race unfolds, what kind of position he can get early (he usually starts well) and how the rider can do. I think he has a chance if things work out for him.”

Platina Voice

Ippo Sameshima, trainer
“He’s been running straight in training with the help of blinkers, and his times have been good too. He can switch gears quickly, but the key to him is his cornering and getting him to run straight when it matters most. We’ll just have to see how he can handle the distance.”

Hironobu Tanabe, jockey
“He’s moved well in training, knowing what to do. With his head carriage, he’s quite easy to ride, and he’s shown he can run straight.”

Popocatepetl

Yasuo Tomomichi, trainer
“He’s a horse with a lot of stamina, so I don’t see any problems with the 3,000 meters. I think he’s fine on firm ground, but is also effective when it is soft going. Ideally, he’d get a good jump from the gates and get to run a race where his stamina comes into play, and that way I don’t think there’s too much difference between him and the other runners.”

Ryuji Wada, jockey
“I hadn’t ridden him for a long time, but there seemed to be no change in the way he moves. He doesn’t really catch the eye the way he moves, but this long distance would seem to suit him.”

Satono Arthur

Yasutoshi Ikee, trainer
“He’s trained well and improves with work. He’s gotten bigger, which is just him developing. He’s a difficult type to get to adjust to things during a race, and this is definitely going to be the key with him. This time the distance is over 3,000 meters with the course undulations to consider as well, so it’s even more important that he gets into the flow of the race.”

Satono Chronicle

Yasutoshi Ikee, trainer
“His responses have been good in training, and I’d say he runs a lot better now. We don’t know what he can do over 3,000 meters until we try. It’s a different course this time, but I don’t think that’s a problem, and he’s a horse that gets into his races well. Looking at him, I can envisage him running a good race over this trip.”

Stiffelio

Hidetaka Otonashi, trainer
“It’s great that we’ve got into the race and I’m pleased about that. He ran well last time in the Asahi Hai St. Lite Kinen, despite starting from a wide gate and being hurried to take up a handy position early. The winner was too good that day. As for the extended distance, all horses will be tackling it for the first time.”

Tricolore Bleu

Yasuo Tomomichi, trainer
“He’s gained weight, but as a young horse this is him growing up. After his last race, he had a break at the farm, and since coming back he’s looked good, particularly in his last piece of work this week. I can’t say anything about the distance, but ability-wise, I think he can run up to the level of other 3-year-olds here.”

Keita Tosaki, jockey
“I rode him for the first time in training, and he was relaxed, as well as giving a good response.”

Win Ganador

Hiroyuki Uehara, trainer
“He’s changed a lot mentally, and I think this is a big thing. He’s in good condition, and has run well in training with his stablemate. The jockey knows him well. The horse is still young, and I hope he transports well over to the track. He’s a big, striding horse, and all being well, he’ll get to show his strength. He doesn’t necessarily have to lead, but from the start things can be worked out.”

Akihide Tsumura, jockey
“In a year, he’s become more relaxed and a lot better in his races, especially his footwork. On pedigree, he should stay the trip, even if the ground is soft, and I’m looking forward to what he can do over the 3,000 meters.”