Admire Virgo

Yasuo Tomomichi, trainer
“He’s been moving well in training and there’s no change in his weight. I’ve had his race jockey (Mirai Iwata) get a feel for him in his work. Essentially the horse’s best trip would be between 1,800 and 2,000 meters. I know the opposition is strong, but it’ll be good to take on the race and see what he can do.”

Mirai Iwata, jockey
“His back is very strong. He seems really switched on now and gives it his all when asked for a finish. He knows how to win races, and even in this strong field, I’m looking forward to how he can perform.”

Yoshihiko Kawamura, trainer
“He’s satisfied me with his training, even though we haven’t pushed him too hard. There’s no change with him, and in the condition he’s in, it’ll be interesting to see how he shapes up against the strong horses in this race.”

Yusaku Kugita, assistant trainer
“He’s recovered well from his last race. I think he will have done enough going into this next one, with his steady work on the uphill training track. He should improve for having his last race. Of course it’s a strong lineup, but if he can get a good run in behind the other runners, and keep things for the finish, it should be interesting.”

Bravas

Yasuo Tomomichi, trainer
“He’s been working on the polytrack and has moved well under his race jockey, Kosei Miura. He’s had practice at jumping fences since last spring, and it seems to have helped him run strong races. He probably needs good ground, but last time he didn’t get it. He’s had success at the Hanshin course, and I’m looking forward to what he can do here among this opposition.”

Cadenas

Kazuya Nakatake, trainer
“Last year was not so good for him, but he’s back this time for the race where he did well last year. A firm track with a bit of spring to it would suit him.”

Masaaki Shibata, assistant trainer
“He’s been switched on in training and has worked well uphill, moving smoothly. He has the same rotation as last year following the Kokura Daishoten. He ran well in last year’s Osaka Hai, giving it his best and showing the course suits him. It’ll be good to see what he can do again this time.”

Contrail

Shigeki Miyauchi, assistant trainer
“His workload has been good and things have gone as expected with him. There has been nothing to worry about, and the race distance of 2,000 meters will be just right for him. I’m sure if he gets to run his true race, he’ll get a good result.”

Takahide Ando, assistant trainer
“He’s gotten bigger all round since last year’s Japan Cup, and since returning to the stable at Ritto, we’ve been able to work him as we’d have expected. He’s won over 2,000 meters in the Hopeful Stakes and Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), both at Nakayama, but he can handle any course. He runs in a balanced way, and he can easily find his rhythm in a race, as well as act on any going. He should show his best again and get a good result.”

Yuichi Fukunaga, jockey
“He’s bigger now, but he’s moving very well and showing what speed he has. It’ll just be Grade 1 races for him from now. He can get just a little tense, but overall he’s relaxed and I have no worries about him. He’s run well at Nakayama over 2,000 meters, and while it won’t be an easy race, if he produces his best, the outcome should be good.”

Crescendo Love

Toru Hayashi, trainer
“He’s a lot better mentally and we’ve tried different patterns in training with him, where physically and mentally it’s all come right with him. His movement has been very good. He races well right-handed and has already won two graded races on right-handed tracks. A bit of rain would help his chances, but he’s well prepared for a big run.”

Hiroyuki Uchida, jockey
“It feels like he’s running with his usual rhythm, and he’s mentally in the right place. There’s a little unpredictability about him, but I’m not worried about anything, and he’s run well racing to the right at Nakayama. I wouldn’t want the ground to be too fast for him.”

Gran Alegria

Kazuo Fujisawa, trainer
“I wasn’t concerned about her time in this last piece of work, but it was more about concentrating on the flow of her run. She’s running smoothly with good responses. It’s been a while since her last race, and the distance is changing again, but as usual I’m sure she’ll give it her best.”

Daisuke Tsumagari, assistant trainer
“We’ve taken things steady with her as her career progresses, but she’s fine and easier to control now. She has a good appetite too. On the inner oval course this time with two turns, it’ll be her first time over 2,000 meters, but I’m not anxious at all and really looking forward to her performance in the race.”

Christophe Lemaire, jockey
“She’s grown quite a bit, and the trainer has done such a good job with her. Even though she’s a 5-year-old now, she can still get results. I didn’t overdo things in her last piece of work. She’s an easy horse to ride, can settle well in a race, and I know what I have to do with her. Even though it’s her first time at 2,000 meters, I’m sure she’ll put in a big run. Speed is also needed over the inner turf course.”

Ryo Shimizu, exercise rider
“He has a slight tendency to lean to the right, but generally he’s running smoothly and getting into the flow of things. He should come on for his last race, and the shorter trip this time should be better for him.”

Lei Papale

Tomokazu Takano, trainer
“She returned from the farm on March 14 and was looking really well and relaxed, as well as more muscular. We’ve just confirmed things with her in training as this race approaches. She’s a horse with a lot of power and potential. It’s important that she runs with a good rhythm, even though I think she can race from any position. She comes to the race fresh, not having run since last year, but she’s already won a graded race, and without having lost a race at all, I’m very excited to see what she can achieve in the Osaka Hai.”

Yuga Kawada, jockey
“She’s a horse that’s easy to ride and has a lot of speed. Hopefully all goes well right up to the race. There’s a lot to look forward to with her, and not least of all here, where she gets to take on great horses like Contrail and Gran Alegria. It’ll be interesting.”

Mozu Bello

Naoyuki Morita, trainer
“I haven’t worried about his time in training, but more importantly his movement is good and there’s a good shape to him. What he’s done is enough going into the race. I think his condition is back to its best, just where it was last year. Discussing with the owner, it was decided the horse would go for this race, and even among the strong opposition, we’re looking forward to what he can do this time.”

Persian Knight

Yasutoshi Ikee, trainer
“There’s no change with him, and he’s shown some speed in training. The way he moves is good and things have improved with him. With his big stride and a good run last time, we’ll have to see what he can do in this race.”

Tatsuhiko Kawai, assistant trainer
“We haven’t pushed him too much while he’s worked solo in training, but that seems fine, especially considering the short time between races. As an older horse, this distance starts to look more suitable for him, and he usually comes on well for having had a race.”

Salios

Noriyuki Hori, trainer
“He’s a horse that we’ve always had to be careful with when it comes to his balance, particularly when changing leads. Gradually he’s improved in this respect, and jockey Kohei Matsuyama has done good work with him in training. The horse’s breathing is good too. All round he seems better, and this is probably the smoothest he’s been up to now in his career. It’s to be hoped that everything comes together for him and he runs well over the 2,000 meters against his opponents.”

Kohei Matsuyama, jockey
“He’s trained well and he’s pretty much how I imagined him to be. I think the inner course at Hanshin will suit him, and that he’ll be able to put in some good footwork in the race.”

Wagnerian

Yasuo Tomomichi, trainer
“There’s no damage from his last race, and in fact his condition has improved for that run. I think Hanshin is good for him, and 2,000 meters would be his best distance. I’ve no concerns about the way he is, and second up I hope he can pull out a bit more this time. Looking at his previous results, he has a good enough chance.”

Hayato Yoshida, jockey
“I’ve ridden him these last three weeks in training and he’s come along well. His responses at the finish are very good.”