Masahiro Mitou, assistant trainer
“Since taking a break at Northern Farm Shigaraki, this has been his target race, and just recently he’s been working well uphill in training and showing he’s in good condition. Judging from his last race, the 1,600 meters this time should be easier. He has enough talent to take on the other strong horses here. He’s had experience running at Hanshin before, and it’ll be interesting to see what he can do here if he can get into a good rhythm in the race.”

Bathrat Leon

Shigeki Miyauchi, assistant trainer
“He came out of his last race well and he’s quite relaxed. There’s still improvement to come as he develops. It’s just two weeks since his last race, and he’ll just have the usual pattern of training which we do at the stable. He probably didn’t run his best over 2,000 meters last time, so coming back in distance should help, and hopefully he’ll be closer this time.”

Ryusei Sakai, jockey
“With just two weeks in between races, his workload hasn’t been too much, but there’s still some leeway with him, and his responses have been good. He’s a horse that starts well and can get a good position quite easily, and I think the mile with just the one turn will suit. I want him to run well against the strong opponents here.”

Shun Takano, assistant trainer
“He’s settled down a lot after being a bit unruly before, and he seems to improve with his races. He’ll be back at the track where he finished fourth in the Daily Hai Nisai Stakes, so there won’t be a problem with the course. I hope he’ll be a match once again for the other horses here in this strong line-up.”

Keishi Yamada, jockey
“It’s taken a while for me to get where I am now in terms of winners. I’m very thankful to the owner, trainer and all connections for the ride on the stable’s horse in a Grade 1. If you look at his last race, he ran well, and you can’t say he doesn’t have a chance here if he gets into the race like he’s able to do.”

Satoru Kobiyama, trainer
“Since he’s changed stables, he’s more relaxed and easier to handle. It’s a plus that he’s had experience at Hanshin as well.”

Yuya Katayama, assistant trainer
“Things have gone as expected with him. His weight’s about 490kg, so he hasn’t lost weight and he’s in good condition. He’s a powerful horse and the shorter distances look good for him. He doesn’t pull, and I think he should be able to perform well in a race over 1,600 meters.”

Yusuke Fujioka, jockey
“He’s flexible as to how he can run in a race, and in his last piece of work, I got him to run on late at the end, and he was fine, without overdoing things. He got a good start in his last race and ran well, and I think he can adapt to how a race might turn out.”

Takahisa Tezuka, trainer
“He’s been having gate practice since he returned to the stable, so hopefully he won’t be as restless as before. He’s won previously when the going wasn’t so good, and with the way he runs, even a fast pace won’t be a problem. He’s in good shape, and I think the one turn in the race at Hanshin will suit him. A smooth start, followed by him getting into the flow of the race, are things necessary for him to run well.”

Yuya Katayama, assistant trainer
“He’s been able to keep his weight and condition. He’s by Frankel, so his pedigree is good. One of the keys is to keep him relaxed, but usually when he goes to the race, he doesn’t get worked up, and things go alright with him. In his second race, he didn’t quite find a good enough rhythm, but 1,600 meters should be good for him. He’d produce his best on firm ground, so hopefully he’ll get that on the day.”

Ho O Amazon

Shigeki Miyauchi, assistant trainer
“He’s been working well in training with two other horses, and his movement’s been good. He’s tough when going forward in a race and knows how to dictate things. It’ll be the same course and distance as his last race, so it’ll certainly be interesting to see what he can produce this time too.”

Kohei Matsuyama, jockey
“He’s done well with his training workload. He’s heavier now, but that’s him growing. He has good racing sense and can get off to a good start and be handy in a race. He’s capable of putting in another strong race like last time, when there wasn’t much in it between him and the winner.”

Yasuo Tomomichi, trainer
“With the short time between races, we haven’t pushed him too hard. There’s no change with him, and he’s recovered well from his last race. He’s a horse with racing sense and he should be fine among these opponents. The distance will suit him, and the long straight at Hanshin will also be good. I look forward to his run in this Grade 1 race.”

Kaiser Nova

Shigeki Miyauchi, assistant trainer
“He has become a lot calmer. His times in training have been the same as what he usually records, and he’s closed off well at the end. I think the shadow roll also helps him. Up to a mile would probably be his distance, and while there’s a little concern about him putting in his best, if he can get into the flow of things and run a tough race, he would have a chance.”

Lord Max

Nobuyuki Tashiro, assistant trainer
“It’ll be his first time to race right-handed, but with the way he’s been training, it shouldn’t be a problem. He won a maiden race on heavy ground, and I think he can show his strength on any ground. He has a will to win and the jockey knows the horse’s habits, so hopefully he’ll run up to his best here.”

Hideaki Fujiwara, trainer
“The horse is developing well and he shows he has ability. The jockey combines well with him, and he knows the horse’s character enough to try and get the best out of him. That is one of the keys. While there’s a slight worry about him racing right-handed for the first time, he’s a horse that does surprise and it will be interesting.”

Mondreise

Mikio Matsunaga, trainer
“For his second race, he was a little worked up, but we changed his bit and tried different things in training. He managed to step up in trip last time and win. When he came back from a break at Northern Farm Shigaraki, he didn’t seem overweight. Last week and this week, he’s put in good times in training and has moved well. He ran a good race at Hanshin before, and I hope he can save things in the race this time and see out the extra furlong once more.”

Christophe Lemaire, jockey
“He’s been moving well and his footwork’s good. There’s no problem with his breathing either. He’s a horse with power and speed, and with his muscles he can be good over these shorter distances. He ran over 1,400 meters last time, but he should be fine with the extra distance this time.”

Red Belle Aube

Nobuyuki Tashiro, assistant trainer
“He’s in good shape and running well, keeping his mind on things. It’s good that he’s back at the course where he’s won, and his last two wins have been achieved in record time. He’s a bit more light-footed than his brother, Red Bel Jour. While he’s just a young horse, the power he has right now would certainly put him in with a chance, even though it’s a Grade 1.”

Hideaki Fujiwara, trainer
“There’s no change in his condition, and he’s moved well on the woodchip course, despite it being a bit heavy. He’s plus 10kg or so, but that’s fine, and with his ability he can run a good race here.”

Yuichi Fukunaga, jockey
“He’s not so different than he was for his last race, but he is getting bigger. He’s got speed which should see him do well here over a mile, although like his brother, Red Bel Jour, there is a slightly difficult side to him.”

Shock Action

Ryuji Okubo, trainer
“He’s just done easy work this last week, but his movement is good. He ran a good race two starts ago and got a result, even though the going wasn’t so good. It’s important that he knows when to switch on and off. He can be a little restless in the gate, but I don’t see it as a big problem. Racing right-handed should be fine, and as he’s developing, it’ll be interesting to see what he can do this time.”

Stella Veloce

Naosuke Sugai, trainer
“The jockey has been putting him through his paces, and he knows what to do with him to keep him on task, without overdoing things. The horse is in good shape and can run well on good ground, plus he’s already won over a mile at Hanshin. He doesn’t pull, and as I’ve said, the jockey is certainly one of the keys to his chances. Hopefully things will go well, and I want to look to next year’s Classic races with the horse.”

Super Hope

Masaoki Nakata, assistant trainer
“He’s the type to do just enough in training. He’s in about the same condition as he was for his last race, and he has won over 1,400 meters. The mile should be a bit easier for him, and he’s certainly a horse with an engine. Of course he’s still a young horse and developing, but it will be interesting to see what he can do here.”

Kenichi Fujioka, trainer
“He’s done what I have expected in training, showing good pace and keeping things up to the end of his run. He ran a good race last time, and I don’t think there’s much of a difference between him and the other horses in this upcoming race.”

Masahiro Uchiyama, assistant trainer
“He’s quite relaxed, and with his work on the woodchip course, things seem fine with him. It’s good that he’s already won at Hanshin over a mile. Of course it’s a strong looking Grade 1 race, but he’s a talented horse, and hopefully he’ll run well in this next step of his career so far.”