Aerolithe

Takanori Kikuzawa, trainer
“Looking at her on a daily basis, I’ve been able to see her get bigger and progress in a good way. Her footwork has been terrific in training, and she doesn’t need any particular training pattern, nor do I worry about her times. She’s become a really strong filly. She has won at Sapporo, so I don’t think going right-handed is a problem, even though previously she hung in a little. This time she has to transport over to Kyoto. If she jumps well in the race, she’ll be handy, but I don’t think this has to be her only way of racing. A smooth run is the most important.”

Air Spinel

Kazuhide Sasada, trainer
“The Mile Championship has been the race we’ve had in mind for him. He hasn’t worked particularly fast, but is sharp all the same. He seems switched on after his last race. He ran well left-handed before, and since last autumn he’s been more relaxed and when racing right-handed he’s been smoother. He hasn’t quite been able to score in a Grade 1 race, but while monitoring his condition, he’s come along well and is in top shape for the challenge here.”

Al Ain

Yasutoshi Ikee, trainer
“When he won on his debut, jockey Ryan Moore thought he was a miler, so I’ve always stood by that. He’s trained well lately and his breathing is good. What’s more, he has the look of a miler about him now, as well as being a Grade 1 horse. He’s suited to the shorter distances on his dam’s pedigree, and with his speed and ability to start well, I think he can run a good race over this distance.”

Black Moon

Katsuichi Nishiura, trainer
“He’s the type to improve after a race, and while he didn’t show his best last time, since then in training he’s come on a lot, and he’ll be going into the race sharper this time. He’s better suited to the mile and the Kyoto course, so I hope he can get into the race well and I want him to put in his best effort this time.”

Gendarme

Yasutoshi Ikee, trainer
“I thought the Derby distance was a bit far for him, so I’ve wanted to return to a mile with him. The mile at Kyoto will suit the horse. Rather than be forward early, it’s better for him to save things until the end, and his race last time should be a good preparation for running a good race here.”

Yutaka Take, jockey
“I’ve got no complaints with the way he’s moving. I want him to produce his best after his latest run, and this race looks ideal for him. Even though he’s still a 3-year-old, I think he has a chance.”

He's in Love

Kenichi Fujioka, trainer
“It’ll be his third race this autumn, and I think he’s getting better for those races. He’ll go into this Grade 1 in good condition. While Nakayama might be the best track for him, he has run fine at Kyoto, especially over the distance, and he should be able to handle things well. If he’s able to move well, he’ll have a good enough chance.”

Kota Fujioka, jockey
“His closing finishes in training have been good, and he’s moving better than before. As a horse with good footwork, he should be able to maneuver well in the race.”

Jour Polaire

Masato Nishizono, trainer
“I think she can run well at Kyoto, and the light weight is a help for her. She is a half sister to Sadamu Patek, a winner of the race. She is able to get a good early position in races and doesn’t give in easily. It will be all about the timing and how she handles the flow of the race.”

Yukito Ishikawa, jockey
“She’s been able to do well in training, and her breathing’s good. I’m pleased with her responses and overall she seems fine, as well as being an easy horse to ride.”

Katsuji

Kaneo Ikezoe, trainer
“He’s continued to do well in training, and after last week’s work I consider that to be sufficient. He gets better with having a race under his belt. Hopefully he’ll be relaxed on the day of the race.”

Taiki Chaki, assistant trainer
“He’s been able to keep his condition. He’s not bad going left-handed, but right-handed over a mile at Kyoto suits him, and he doesn’t give up easily. It’s a strong field, and most importantly he’ll need to be relaxed to produce his best.”

Keiai Nautique

Osamu Hirata, trainer
“He’s coped well with his workload and has moved well enough. This time he only has to transport to the nearby Kyoto track. He doesn’t need to get too far back in the race. Something like last time in the Mainichi Okan would be good, and that seems like a good step race for him to run over a mile this time.”

Yusuke Fujioka, jockey
“He’s better with a race under him, and while not so eye-catching in himself, his movement is certainly good enough.”

Logi Cry

Naosuke Sugai, trainer
“He worked well last week with his usual training pattern and there’s no change in his condition. This week I just left it to jockey Cristian Demuro to do what he thought was suitable. He evaluates the horse highly. With the horse not having had that many races, he still seems young. It didn’t seem like a Grade 3 last time with so many strong horses running. He’s won a big race at Kyoto, so changing back to the track won’t pose a problem, and if he gets to run to his best, he must have a chance.”

Cristian Demuro, jockey
“The horse is in good condition and I have a good impression of him. He worked well with his training partner and moved especially well inside the final two furlongs. I’ve ridden the Kyoto course a number of times, so I know it well. I’ll be looking out for Persian Knight and Mozu Ascot, a horse that I’ve also ridden and know about.”

Lord Quest

Kazunari Suzuki, assistant trainer
“The horse has been working uphill. In his last race, he was coming back from a short break, but managed to beat this spring’s top miler, so that was a big thing. He seems to find a lot of power, and that’s the case right now, so I hope he can put it to good use and do his best again here.”

Mitsuo Tsuchiaki, assistant trainer
“His movement and reactions are very good. He’s run over different distances and hasn’t quite got the best results, but realistically he’s back to his best distance, a mile.”

Mikki Glory

Sakae Kunieda, trainer
“We decided on the rotation for him, so that he would have this race as his target. Due to previous worries about his legs, he hasn’t had that many races, but now he’s come on in a much better way and I’m more confident about him than when he was younger. He still seems like a mischievous young horse though. Despite this, he’s not a difficult horse to ride and he has become stronger. I think 1,600 meters on a wider track suits him, and I’d like to see him perform well in this Grade 1.”

Keita Tosaki, jockey
“He feels like a good horse that’s strong and is able to run powerfully, without feeling heavy at all. Better than last week, he seems more switched on. It was a good win for him last time, and I think he’s fine at a track like Kyoto, so I have an image of how I want to ride him.”

Mozu Ascot

Yoshito Yahagi, trainer
“I think his loss last time was because it was his first race in a while and he had to carry quite a bit of weight. His condition has really improved since, so hopefully this will show in his run this time.”

Shigeki Miyauchi, assistant trainer
“He hasn’t been stopping in training and I’ve been surprised by his times. This time in the race he won’t carry so much weight, and I feel he’s better than he was last time out. I’m looking forward to his run here.”

Christophe Lemaire, jockey
“I thought 1,400 meters was his best distance, but now he’s become more adult, a mile seems fine for him. Things got a bit busy in the Swan Stakes. I think the horse is in top condition now, and that I have a chance to win another Grade 1 with him. I know Persian Knight and Logi Cry are strong, but if I can ride a good race, it’s possible to win. The key is to run smoothly, getting the horse balanced, particularly at the fourth corner.”

Persian Knight

Yasutoshi Ikee, trainer
“I think he’ll be better for his last race. He finished fifth in the same prep race last year, but compared to then, I think he’s very different now. He’s filled out and is more mature now. He couldn’t run to his best last time, but the mile would have to be his ideal trip. I think the Kyoto track is fine for him, and providing he gets into a good rhythm, he has a good enough chance.”

Mirco Demuro, jockey
“I’m not worried about his last run, and once he’s had a race he improves. He’s gradually become more mature. It’ll be important to get a smooth run on the downhill section of the outer course at Kyoto. I’ll think about things after the draw. He was drawn wide last year, so I’m hoping for somewhere in the middle or towards the inside this time. Of course, it’s a strong field, but I really want to win, having finished second a lot in big races this year, as well as being third last week.”

Red Avancer

Kenichi Shono, assistant trainer
“She should be in good condition going into the race. In recent races, she’s been able to get into a good position and then finish off well in her run. It’ll be interesting to see what she can do up against the male horses in this Grade 1.”

Yuichi Kitamura, jockey
“She’s moved well in training and done what I’ve asked of her. She’s gotten good results racing left-handed, but I don’t think racing right-handed poses any problems either.”

Reine Minoru

Hitoshi Nakai, assistant trainer
“It’s a question of her getting into a good early position and being able to sustain things throughout the race. Getting into her natural rhythm early on is the most important thing, and then going on to see what she can do racing accordingly. “

Hirofumi Shii, jockey
“It’s the first time I’ve ridden her, but she moves well. She is a Grade 1 winning horse, so I want her to perform like one. I’m looking forward to how things will go for her.”

Stelvio (Right)

Tetsuya Kimura, trainer
“The horse has been prepared with this race in mind, after doing quite well earlier in the year. I’m pleased to be associated with the horse and hope he can run well here.”

Yu Ota, assistant trainer
“It’s important that the horse always gets to run making full use of his speed. Relating to this, the key will be to get him to run smoothly right up to the home straight, and then being able to use what power he has from that point.”

William Buick, jockey
“He’s a top-class horse that runs well, and so I have confidence in him. I’ve watched videos of his runs, so will ride him according to what I’ve seen. He’s done well in training, and I’m excited about the ride. I’ve won Grade 1 races in different countries, but haven’t yet done so in Japan. I’d like to thank the connections for their support, and I hope this can be a Grade 1 win for me in Japan.”

Win Bright

Yoshihiro Hatakeyama
“He’s worked well in training with other horses and is improving. We’ll see what he can do over a mile again this time. Even though it’s a strong lineup, with the condition he’s in, I want him to do his best. Getting a good early position, and settling into a good rhythm, it will be interesting to see what he’s capable of here.”

Masami Matsuoka, jockey
“He seems to have recovered well from his last race and I have no worries with him. His responses have been good in training and everything seems to be fine with him.”