A Shin Spotter

Keiji Yoshimura, trainer
“He was tired after the trip to Sapporo, and after a break at the farm, he returned to the stable on September 12. He’s been his usual self, and he’s not a difficult horse to deal with, so all’s well up to now. He’s had experience running in a couple of graded races over 1,200 meters at Nakayama, namely last year’s Sprinters Stakes and the Ocean Stakes as well. I think they were a good experience for him and that he can run a good race this time. His best distance is 1,200 meters.”

Danon Scorpion

Yuichi Fukunaga, trainer
“He’s a horse that improves for his races, and he seems lighter when he moves now. His racing style is different from before and he runs a lot straighter. I think he can get used to the fast pace in races over 1,200 meters, and with this being his second time over the trip, he should have a better idea of what to do and be more forward in the race.”

Lugal

Haruki Sugiyama, trainer
“He’s been off for a while, but the jockey (Atsuya Nishimura) has been working him well in training. The horse previously had no problem putting in fast times, so we haven’t paid too much attention to his times now, and have concentrated more on his actual training. He’s been moving well and has a nice big stride. The jockey says the horse is in better shape now than he was for the Takamatsunomiya Kinen. He’s completely recovered from his injury in the time he’s had off. The race is at Nakayama this time over 1,200 meters, but I think wherever he runs, he can give a good account of himself.”

Mad Cool

Manabu Ikezoe, trainer
“The jockey (Ryusei Sakai) says the horse is moving well as usual and can still improve more. I also think the horse is in good condition and that things are going well with him. His reactions are good. He’s a big horse, so his footwork isn’t always so smooth. We’ve tried to vary things with his training a bit, so he’s been in the pool to strengthen his heart and lungs. The field looks strong in this year’s race, but I don’t see a problem with the change of track this time, and think he can run well.”

Ryusei Sakai, jockey
“He’s done enough in training, and I’m not worried about anything with him. He’s improved these last couple of weeks. He’s a horse that can get a good position in a race and then run on. He switches on and off easily, and I think he can run on any ground. He was second last year, so I want to get a good result and some revenge for that.”  

Mama Cocha

Yuki Iwasaki, assistant trainer
“She fought out the finish well in her last race, and she hasn’t shown any tiredness since that run. With little change in her condition, we’ve been able to work her sufficiently, and with just a short time between races, some fast work shortly before this next race should be enough. It’s been very hot recently, but she seems to be fine with the heat. Having won the race last year, she’s suited to the Nakayama course. It looks to be riding fast right now, and with the strong horses from overseas, I’m hoping she’ll draw an inside gate to help her do well.”

Yuga Kawada, jockey
“She’s been in good condition through this summer, whereas after last year’s race, that wasn’t the case. She felt good in this last piece of work. Although I didn’t ride her in her last race, she was able to get a good result. Her ability as a sprinter is quite clear to see.”

Mozu Meimei

Masanori Tanaka, assistant trainer
“She stayed on well in her last race, and the draw probably didn’t help her, so there was plenty to be pleased about. Despite the short time in between races, she seems fine, and things are as usual with her. The jockey (Kyosuke Kokubun) gets on well with the horse, and it’s good to have had him ride her in recent races. The opposition’s strong this time, but with the way she’s been running, it’s certainly encouraging.”

Kyosuke Kokubun, jockey
“She doesn’t feel as stiff as she did last time, and her work also seems to be better. I’d like an inside draw for the race.”

Namura Clair

Kodai Hasegawa, trainer
“She’s been working well on the uphill since her last race, and her condition’s good. She’s been running with a lot of power despite the hot weather, and jockey Takeshi Yokoyama has made sure the horse has trained well. His record with rides at Nakayama is also good. Despite the strong opponents, I hope the horse will be able to run her own race and put in a good run.”

Takeshi Yokoyama, jockey
“I’ve watched her race, and it seems like she’s a good horse. In training, she’s stretched out well at the finish of her work, and seems to have more power than I’d imagined. Talking to jockey Suguru Hamanaka, he says the horse is more relaxed now that she’s older.”

Obamburumai

Keiji Yoshimura, trainer
“He was tired after returning from Sapporo, so he had a break at the farm, and came back to the stable on September 10. Just before this race, we’ve confirmed things with him and his breathing is fine. It was good that he performed so well in his first run over 1,200 meters last time. There doesn’t seem to be any change in his condition or any negative reaction since that race. Coming back in trip like he did isn’t such an easy thing to do, and his performance against top-level horses was very good. Jockey (Yutaka Take) has a good feeling about the horse, and we look forward to this next race.”

Yutaka Take, jockey
“He seems to have the ability to be a sprinter. He’s better now than when he was a 3-year-old, and he improves for having had a race. I think Nakayama should be alright for him, and there’s not much difference between the homestraight there and Sapporo. A fast pace and the strong opponents might make it hard, but I look forward to the race and think he has a chance.”

Puro Magic

Shogo Yasuda, trainer
“She’s a bit more relaxed after her last run. Since I’ve been her trainer, it was the first time to keep her at the stable after her last race, but there haven’t been any bad effects from this, and if anything, it’s been easier to get her ready. She’s certainly a filly with a lot of speed, but to have only speed is not necessarily enough, so I want to try some different things with her. I’ve asked jockey Norihiro Yokoyama to ride her in the race this time, and I think the horse can develop in a better way from now.”

Satono Reve

Noriyuki Hori, trainer
“Overall, he’s in good condition, and he’s been showing plenty of speed in his training. His breathing’s good, and so too is his appetite. With the hot days continuing, I can’t say that there’s a real freshness about him, however. His weight was 547kg after his recent work. He’s quite muscular now and looks like a sprinter, despite there still being a bit of stiffness after his long layoff last year, so we take care with the balance of his hindquarters. With the training we’ve given him, he should just need a slight adjustment before the race, as I haven’t wanted to overdo things with him. Jockey Damian Lane says everything’s fine with the horse.”

Toshin Macau

Mizuki Takayanagi, trainer
“There was no damage from his last race. Just a while ago, he trained solo on the uphill in trackwork, and did as well as I expected. He seems to improve for having had a race, and he runs smoothly running right-handed, without using cheekpieces. There’s no change in his weight, but he seems to be getting stronger. The track this time should suit him better than Chukyo. He takes just a little time to pick up, so I wouldn’t want the ground to come up too soft, and good to firm ground would suit him best.”

Akira Sugawara, jockey
“He’s felt good in training these past two weeks, despite feeling just a little heavy, but there are no problems with him. In his last race, to be honest, he surprised me at how well he ran from a wide gate, especially the way he finished. He’s more like a sprinter now with more muscle. It feels like he could improve again, and it’s good to have another chance to win a Grade 1 race.”  

Vento Voce

Mitsunori Makiura, trainer
“He’s been training on the uphill track with the jockey (Christophe Lemaire). The rider says the horse feels fresh, and I’m pleased that’s the case. The horse has been working well and his footwork’s been good. He had a good win in the Ocean Stakes, so I think the Nakayama course suits him. He can stiffen up a bit, but considering his long layoff, his condition isn’t bad. Due to the long time away from the track, we’ll just have to see how he reacts to racing once again. This will certainly be the key with him this time.”

Win Greatest

Yoshihiro Hatakeyama, trainer
“He’s been moving well, and his times have been good in training, with the blinkers helping him to concentrate. He’s known what to do with the training pattern we’ve given him. His weight’s around 510kg, so this last week, he hasn’t needed to do so much. In his last two races, he’s done well, considering he’s had to carry 59kg, but this time there won’t be such a difference in weight compared to what the other horses will carry. I think with a good draw and a smooth race, he has a chance, providing it doesn’t rain.”

Masami Matsuoka, jockey
“He’s done some good strong work, and he’s used to the pattern of training. He’s a horse that I know well, and I’m satisfied with his current condition.”

Win Marvel

Masashi Fukayama, trainer
“He’s been good when finishing off a run in training, and things have been as I’ve had in mind with him. He’s quite fresh now, without any tiredness about him, and there have been no problems with him coming back to the stable in good time. He’s had good results in his recent races over 1,400 meters, but over 1,200 meters, things like the draw, the going and the flow of the race haven’t worked out for him. Two years ago, in the Sprinters Stakes, he finished second, so the distance is fine for him. I’m satisfied with his condition going into the race, so once again it will depend on the weather, the track condition and the barrier he draws.”