Al Ain

Yasutoshi Ikee, trainer
“He might be better racing on a smaller oval course taking in four corners, but he finished third in the race last year, and he’s quite suited to the Kyoto mile. He seems to be in better shape than before, and in his last piece of work he looked like the big strong horse that he is and moved well. I’d like to see him find his form again here.”

Catedral

Manabu Ikezoe, trainer
“I think he’s better now than he was for his last race and he’s been training well. It’s all about him finding a good rhythm. He doesn’t always start so well, but providing he can get a position in the race and relax, I don’t think it matters where he is among the field. It will be about him getting in a good finish, having adjusted to how the race is run.”

Danon Kingly

Kiyoshi Hagiwara, trainer
“There has been no change with him since the Mainichi Okan, and he ran a strong race last time. I’ve thought his runs over a mile have been good, so there’ll be no problem with the distance, and even though he’ll have a different jockey this time, he’ll know what to do. Hopefully there’ll be no problems transporting him to the track. All being well, he’ll maintain his condition right up to the race, and although he’s taking on older horses, I hope he can run a good race.”

Danon Premium

Mitsumasa Nakauchida, trainer
“He did good work last week, so this week we’ve just made sure everything’s all right with him. He’s recovered well from his last race and I’m pleased with his condition.”

Teruhiko Saruhashi, assistant trainer
“He can improve more, particularly after he’s had a race. It was too bad about his result in the Yasuda Kinen, but he has a proven track record over a mile and the distance is not a problem. Now he’s an older horse, but another big title is still within his grasp.”

Yuga Kawada, jockey
“He’s become more adult, and more muscular and powerful with it. I’ve always thought a lot of him. He has good reactions in a race. One thing in the race itself is the downhill section from the third corner, but it shouldn’t be a problem the way he races. Hopefully there’ll be no problems on the day and he’ll get to run his best race.”

Diatonic

Takayuki Yasuda, trainer
“I’ve always thought he was a talented horse, but his hindquarters were a bit weak and for a while he couldn’t run fast. Gradually he’s improved and has developed more since the spring. There’s no change since his last race, and even though his best distance may be 1,400 meters, I still think he can run well in this strong field over a mile. One worry is the weather and the track condition on the day.”

Christophe Soumillon, jockey
“The stable staff says he’s in good condition. Last time he ran well despite drawing gate No. 17, finishing off strongly and winning. The Kyoto mile can be difficult from the third corner, and the horse with the best ability might not always win. I’d like an inside draw if possible.”

Emeral Fight

Ikuo Aizawa, trainer
“He has won at Kyoto and I don’t see a problem with the transportation to the track. He’ll be better for his last race. In this one I hope he can get a ground saving run and mark some of the strong horses. If he can get a good late finish in, I don’t think there’ll be that much in it between him and the other horses.”

Fiano Romano

Tomokazu Takano, trainer
“Since two weeks ago, he’s looked sharp and more physical. I think the mile at Kyoto right-handed should suit him, and it’ll be a question of him finding a good rhythm in the race.

Kota Fujioka, jockey
“He moves well and he adjusts and responds according to what’s asked of him. He’s improving and it doesn’t feel like he’s coming back from a layoff.”

Guanciale

Yoshihito Kitade, trainer
“I think he’s in good shape and is always better for having a race under him. There wasn’t much difference between him and the other horses in the Yasuda Kinen, and the mile at Kyoto suits him well. If he’s up with the pace and gets into the flow of things, I think he can run well again.”

Heart Kameda, jockey
“He’s able to keep his condition, running well in training, and finishing off his work strongly. It doesn’t feel like he’s the age he is.”

Indy Champ

Hidetaka Otonashi, trainer
“He lost to Danon Premium over the Kyoto mile three starts ago, and also lost to Danon Kingly last time, but I think he’ll come on for that last run, and he’s probably better over a mile than the 1,800 meters last time. He raced in second position throughout that last race and wasn’t beaten by much. He’s moved well in training and is leaner than he was for his last race.”

Kenichi Ikezoe, jockey
“It’s important to have him relaxed in the gate and to jump well, and from there, just ease him into the flow of the race. He’s the champion miler from the spring and my job is to get the best out of him. Hopefully he can prove he’s a real champion miler by winning in the autumn as well.”

Kurino Gaudi

Hirokazu Tajima, assistant trainer
“He’s going into the race in good condition. If he finds his rhythm, he should be able to run on at the end of the race, and if he gets a smooth run he’ll have a chance. I’m looking forward to how he can run.”

Yusuke Fujioka, jockey
“He’s a horse that knows what to do. If he’s able to get into a position in the race that suits him, he should do well.”

Leyenda

Kazuo Fujisawa, trainer
“Things didn’t go his way in the Niigata Kinen. He drew an outer gate, and although he ran on quite well at the end, he wasn’t quite up to it. The winner was strong. It’ll be a fast pace going right-handed this time, so I’m a little worried about that. He’s more mature now, so he should transport over alright. He’s trained well after his last race, and even though it’s his first time at Kyoto, the jockey knows the horse well.”

Daisuke Tsumagari, assistant trainer
“He’s had two runs at a mile, so the pace should be fine for him. Now the temperature’s dropped, he’s looking well in his coat. It’s a strong field, but with the experience of his last run, I expect him to be in the right place at the end of the race.”

Mozu Ascot

Yoshito Yahagi, trainer
“He posted good times last week, and his last time in the region of 52 seconds this week indicates everything’s fine with him. He’s certainly come on for his last race.”

Shigeki Miyauchi, assistant trainer
“He’s had his usual training pattern during the interval between races. He’s walking and cantering well and has recovered from his last race. He’s not tense at all, and his last two races lead him into this one as we’d like. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”

My Style

Mitsugu Kon, trainer
“He can run well over shorter distances like a mile, and having had a prep race, he’s the type to benefit from that. It’ll be an extra furlong this time, but that won’t be a problem, and hopefully he’ll run well like he did last time.”

Katsuharu Tanaka, jockey
“There’s a good feel to him, and he seems more switched on than before his last race. He’s moving well. He’s run at Kyoto too, so all in all, I’m looking forward to this race with him.”

Persian Knight

Yasutoshi Ikee, trainer
“He’s run in the race the last two years, so it seems to be a good race for him. He’s in good condition and looks the part too. One key will be the weather. It’s been good ground the last couple of years, so this time too, I hope the track is good on the day.”

Oisin Murphy, jockey
“He’s in good condition and I’m very satisfied with him. Hopefully I can guide him so that we get a good result.”

Primo Scene

Tetsuya Kimura, trainer
“It was disappointing the way she ran last time. She’s been at the stable since, and the staff have done a good job with her, and her work has been fine. She’s worked with horses on either side of her, just to keep her concentration up. She’ll probably transport over on the Saturday. Hopefully she’ll run more aggressively this time and just be a little more forward in the race.”

Yu Ota, assistant trainer
“She’s looser than before and is more balanced, so these things are helping her. The key is to have her just right in the build up to the race so that she performs to her best.”

Red Olga

Hideaki Fujiwara, trainer
“She has come along as expected and done well in training. Her responses are good. It’s a strong Grade 1 field, but hopefully she’ll give it her best shot.”

Hitoshi Ogino, assistant trainer
“She lacked a bit of concentration as a younger horse, but is better now. She’s run more on left-handed tracks, so we’ve worked her more adjusting to racing right-handed. If she can handle the downward slope at Kyoto, I think she’ll have a chance, and providing it’s not a real breakneck speed and she can find her rhythm, she should be fine.”

Masatasu Kikukawa, trainer
“There’s no damage after his last run and he’s better now that the weather is cooler. Things have worked out well with him. In the race itself, he needs to find a position from where he can run his best, somewhere towards the rear, so that later he gets to run on and use his turn of foot.”