Asakusa Genki

Hidetaka Otonashi, trainer
“His half-sister, Rabbit Run, won the Rose Stakes over 1,800 meters, so I think on pedigree he should be able to get the 1,600 meters without any problems. In training, he’s done his work well and looks good in his movement. It is his first time at the distance, but I think the key will be to just run with a good rhythm and just try to save a bit extra until the finish.”

Cassius

Hisashi Shimizu, trainer
“I have no worries with him at all. After his last run, I think he’ll be fine with the distance of 1,600 meters. In training, he’s been able to finish off his work showing good speed at the end. I think he’ll definitely come on for his last race. The outer course at Hanshin won’t be a problem, and the only thing to consider is how he’ll match up against his opponents here.”

Danon Premium

Mitsumasa Nakauchida, trainer
“He adjusts well to anything we give him. He always gives it his all in running, and with what he’s shown, you can see him being a Grade 1 winning horse. I’d hope for good ground on the day.”

Teruhiko Saruhashi, assistant trainer
“He starts well and then is able to be patient. He has no trouble getting into the flow of a race. He had experience at the distance last time, and he won on his debut at Hanshin. There’s no anxiety with him at all, and we want him to run his best race here.”

Yuga Kawada, jockey
“He’s relaxed in running. It’s a mile this time at Hanshin, and after winning on his debut there over 1,800 meters, I’m not worried about anything.”

Takayuki Yasuda, trainer
“He’s won at Hanshin and there’s no problem with him in his races. I think he’ll be fine over the 1,600 meters. I have no worries with him and he gives me a lot of confidence. I think there’s still a lot more to come from him, and I’m really looking forward to his effort here.”

Yuichi Fukunaga, jockey
“It feels like he’s bigger and stronger now. He’s come out of his last race well, and even if the going is a bit heavy, I think he can handle that.”

Double Sharp

Kunihiko Watanabe, trainer
“He’s a horse with ability, as he showed in his run in the Sapporo Nisai Stakes. He has a tendency to hang a little to the right, so fitting a noseband and blinkers has been helpful in correcting this. It’s important to get him to run smoothly.”

Ryuji Wada, jockey
“He moves well, and with the number of races he’s had, he’s calmer. He’s been showing good footwork in training.”

Fast Approach

Kazuo Fujisawa, trainer
“He’s a big horse. Everything’s been good with him in training. The jockey’s been working him just recently, and all looks good.”

Daisuke Tsumagari, assistant trainer
“He posted a fast time on his debut at Tokyo, and since then he’s run on tighter tracks. He’s a big horse with a big stride, and he’ll be well suited to the wider, outer course at Hanshin. There are no concerns with the shorter trip this time, and I think changing to this track is a big merit.”

Vincent Cheminaud, jockey
“He seems the type not to want longer distances, and on his pedigree too, 1,600 meters is probably his best distance. After returning from the farm, things have gone well with him and he’s been better this past week in training. There should be no problem with him transporting over to the track, and I want to do my best against the other strong runners.”

Frontier

Mitsumasa Nakauchida, trainer
“He usually moves well, but this past week he’s looked very powerful.  It looks like he can run a big race here.”

Teruhiko Saruhashi, assistant trainer
“He ran well last time after a break, which was good. I think he’ll come on for that. He has good speed, which needs to be put to good use, preferably by starting steadily and then building things up to use his speed when it counts. It’s important for him to get into a good rhythm.”

Yasunari Iwata, jockey
“He’s sharp, but unfortunately last time he lost momentum with another horse going back through the field. He’s capable of doing better.”

Hishi Cosmah

Hisashi Shimizu, trainer
“He’s still a little immature, but in his last race he showed what he can do. In training, he worked with two other horses, and finished off well racing between the two. I’m not worried about the distance or the opposition, I just want him to make his own race here and see what he can do.”

Iron Claw

Takashi Saito, trainer
“The trip is 1,600 meters this time, and hopefully he can get a start and get into the flow of the race, which is going to be the key with him. Of course, the opposition’s strong, but if things go well for him, we’ll see what he can do.”

Manabu Sakai, jockey
“He posts good times without pushing him to the limit. He has good speed, and things seem good with him all round.”

Masaki Takano, assistant trainer
“I think turf races are not a problem for him. He’s by Swept Overboard, so slightly heavy ground and not such quick times are suitable for him. He’s had experience with transporting to tracks, and he’s had a number of races in his career. So with the way he’s developing, it’ll be interesting to see if he can produce his best here.”

K T Clever

Tetsuya Meno, trainer
“It’s been the same pattern with him. I think from his experience so far, he’ll have no trouble with the mile, even though it will be his first time. He’ll probably go forward without overdoing it, and it’s good that he always tries his best. I believe he has a chance even among this strong field.”

Keiai Nautique

Osamu Hirata, trainer
“Compared to his mother, he looks better suited to turf races, and I think he gets his speed from her. He has good racing sense and an ability to finish well in races. He won his debut race at Hanshin, and I think he’s a horse with Grade 1 potential. Furthermore, I’m looking forward to what kind of performance he can put in here.”

Hideaki Miyuki, jockey
“His movement’s good and his times have been better than I’d have imagined. When riding him, it feels like he’s a horse with some ability.”

Muscoloso

Takahisa Tezuka, trainer
“He’s by Henny Hughes, but his ability on turf probably comes from his mother, and 1,600 meters shouldn’t be a problem for him. We’ve had his race jockey (Kenichi Ikezoe) up recently, and the horse’s ability is improving. It will be interesting to see what he can do here.”

Mitsugu Kon, trainer
“We’ve just given him light work, but he seems to be improving. Producing the kind of race he ran last time would look to be ideal.”

Kenta Fujino, assistant trainer
“He’s worked well uphill in training, and he does possess a good turn of foot. Changing to Hanshin will be good for him, and even though it’s early in his career, in his current condition we’re looking forward to what he’s able to show here.”

Stelvio

Tetsuya Kimura, trainer
“With his race experience and what he’s achieved, we can feel confident. Also the way a lot of his brothers and sisters have been performing is a good thing too. It seems like the way he looks, and the condition he’s in right now, there’s no change with him, and he should be capable of running a big race over the mile at Hanshin.”

Tower of London

Kazuo Fujisawa, trainer
“He had a short break at the farm after his last race, and since coming back we’ve got to work on him. Everything’s been as planned.”

Daisuke Tsumagari, assistant trainer
“He’s not as tense as before and has been running well in training, saving his best effort for the end. Looking at his last two races, the extra distance this time shouldn’t be a problem. He’s had experience at Hanshin, so there’s no reason why he can’t run a big race again.”

Christophe Lemaire, jockey
“He went to the farm after his last race, but has come back fine. He’s worked well in training with good momentum and breathing. It was a slow pace last time, but he was able to adjust and finished well. He’s a strong horse and is able to pick up speed quickly, which I think is his strong point. I really want him to run well over the mile here.”