Bellagio Opera

Hiroyuki Uemura, trainer
“I think he’s done enough work, bearing in mind the rain and the condition of the training track. Despite this, his training pattern has been as usual. If anything, it’s been a little easier, with the time between races this time not so long. It’s also not too hot at the moment. Last year he was a bit too far forward in his races, and this wasn’t such a good thing. The way he raced in the Derby was probably better, saving a bit more for the finish, and the jockey (Kazuo Yokoyama) just kept him a bit further back last time. The horse is now better at finding a good rhythm. Hopefully the ground won’t be as bad as it was last year.”

Kazuo Yokoyama, jockey
“He’s come along as I would have thought, and his reactions in training have been good. I don’t want to worry about the track condition on the day. I’m just pleased to get the chance to ride him again in a Grade 1 race and want to do my best.”

Boldog Hos

Hiroshi Miyamoto, trainer
“His reactions might have been just a little slow in training, but time-wise, he’s moved well enough. It’ll be his fourth start since his long layoff, so he should come on for his runs. A distance of 2,000 meters is good for him, but a bit further this time probably makes it better. The rise in the homestraight at Hanshin suits him. I don’t think it’s a problem if the ground is not firm, and his jockey (Hiroyuki Uchida) has said a softer track is fine. He should run better than he did last time.”

Chevalier Rose

Hisashi Shimizu, trainer
“Everything’s been good with him, and his training has been the same as it usually is. The distance of the race should be fine, and he runs well on good ground, but we might not get that.”

Michihiro Oshita, assistant trainer
“He’s come along as expected in his work before this race. In his last run, the ground was good, but the jockey (Yuichi Kitamura) thought a firmer surface would have been better. Even though he won the Stayers Stakes over 3,600 meters, a distance of about 2,400 meters is probably best for him. In his last two races, he’s taken up a position towards the rear of the field. Considering the distance of 2,200 meters this time, a position like the one he had when he won the Kyoto Daishoten would be best.”

Chuck Nate

Noriyuki Hori, trainer
“He has done some fast work in training. His hooves are his weak point, but last time the ground was a bit softer, so it helped him run well. With the rainy season here, and the track likely to have some cut in it, I’ve thought about this race for him. He lost badly in last year’s Tenno Sho, so he’s traveled over to Ritto early (May 6).”

Durezza

Tomohito Ozeki, trainer
“He had a nice break at the far, and is refreshed after being tired from the overseas trip. Things have been as I would have expected in training, and he should be at a good level come the race. His condition is good. He trained well two weeks ago, so he’s just run solo in training this week. His rhythm was a lot better in his last race, compared with his run in the Japan Cup. With his trip to England last year, and Dubai this year, these experiences have made him settle better mentally. This race over 2,200 meters at Hanshin looks good for him, as I think it’s close to his best distance, and he should get into the flow of the race well.”

June Take

Hidenori Take, trainer
“His condition has improved, and there haven’t been any problems with his footwork, while working on the woodchip course. He’s moved very well. He’s flexible with the distances he races over, and in three races over 2,200 meters, he’s always finished in the first three. With the condition he’s in, there shouldn’t be a lot in it between him and the other runners.”

Justin Palace

Haruki Sugiyama, trainer
“It’s been a better rotation for him than it was last autumn, and there’s no problem with his current condition. He’s probably better than he was for his last race. He didn’t like the ground in the race last year, but two years ago he finished third. The 2,200 meters at Hanshin suits him, when it comes to the flow of a race. It’ll probably be wet for the race this week, but to what degree, it’s unknown right now. He’s been having gate practice, and hopefully he’ll start well in the race, and I want him to get into a good position in the run.”  

Yukihiko Araki, assistant trainer
“His workload’s been good, and he’s been moving well on the woodchip course in training. He should be just right going into the race. If he gets to run his own race, it’ll be interesting to see what he can do. Getting a position is not so important, but a smooth race where he gets to use his big strides is best for him. The opposition’s strong, but if the track comes up soft, I’ll look forward to what he might be able to do.”

Lord del Rey

Mitsumasa Nakauchida, trainer
“He has kept his condition since his last race. He has found some good speed in training and has moved well. While it’s taken a bit of time for him to develop, since last autumn he’s become a lot better. I think a longer distance race is fine for him, with the temperament he has.”

Taku Fukunaga, assistant trainer
“His preparation’s gone as expected, and his times have been good in training. There is still no change with the slightly difficult side to his character, so one of the keys will be how he settles in the race. He will weigh around the 490kg mark for the race, and his weight doesn’t change that much. If he runs smoothly, the 2,200 meters should be fine for him. Good ground would suit him best.”

Meisho Tabaru

Mamoru Ishibashi, trainer
“He has worked solo on the woodchip course, and his movement has been good, with no tiredness after his overseas trip. He is running nice and straight, and since some time ago, his times have been fast. He won the Kobe Shimbun Hai over 2,200 meters, so he has experience over the trip. He also won the Mainichi Hai on heavy ground, so a soft track isn’t a problem either. If he finds a good rhythm in this next race, I wonder just what kind of result he’s capable of getting.”

Pradaria

Manabu Ikezoe, trainer
“His jockey (Riki Takasugi) says the horse feels good, although sometimes he’s better than at other times. This is something that happens in his races too. He has taken the bit well in training and has run with a lot of power. His balance is also good. He usually runs well in a race, and there shouldn’t be any problem with him handling the track, providing his condition is good. He finished just 0.4 seconds behind Equinox in the race two years ago, so he can run well. Some cut in the ground would be good for him.”

Regaleira

Tetsuya Kimura, trainer
“We have had no problems with her, and things have gone smoothly. She has been relaxed the whole time. After a busy year last year, I’ve wanted just to give her a break. In the meantime, she’s filled out more and she looks to be in good shape now.”

Yu Ota, assistant trainer
“She seems to be fine, is eating well and weighs about 490kg. Her training’s been good, and there’s nothing to worry about with her, as we’ve corrected small things along the way, and her workload’s been good. Despite the time between races, the jockey (Keita Tosaki) says that she feels good. The 2,200 meters at Hanshin should be fine for her. The horses tend to get into a line more there than at Tokyo, so it should make for an easier race.”

Rousham Park

Hiroyasu Tanaka, trainer
“His condition was not so good last time in Australia, but he seems better now. His control is good, and he’s taking the bit when it matters. His energy level seems better too.”

Hiroyuki Yamazaki, assistant trainer
“He did his best in the Osaka Hai and Takarazuka Kinen last year. With the transportation a factor with him, he’s been over at Ritto for a while now, and getting used to the surroundings there. His appetite’s been steady and has improved, so gradually we’ve been able to work him how we would like to. With these things in place, his preparation has gone quite well.”

Shonan la Punta

Tomokazu Takano, trainer
“He’s been showing his strength in training, and his footwork’s been good. His condition is better than it was before his last race. The Kyoto track might actually suit him better, and he handled the tough conditions well in the Kikuka Sho and Tenno Sho there. However, over 2,200 meters, I think he can do well and I want him to run a good race. He has finished fourth and third in Grade 1 races afterall.”

Sol Oriens

Takahisa Tezuka, trainer
“There’s no big change with him, and he’ll train at Miho right up until before the race this time. The jockey (Kohei Matsuyama) continues to ride him and will think about the best position to take up in the run. The race last time was won in record time, so that made it difficult, and he finished tenth. It’s at Hanshin again, so that’s good, and the extra distance is a plus. Soft ground shouldn’t be a problem either. The inner course also gives us a bit more leeway with him. He hasn’t had the best results recently, but I think there’s not much in it between him and the other runners.”

Urban Chic

Ryo Takei, trainer
“His work rider has said that the horse’s condition is as good as it has been. He’s been running with a lot of speed, and he’s developing well, as we always thought he would. With his power and endurance, the 2,200 meters at Hanshin looks good for him. After his good run in last year’s Kikuka Sho, I want him to get another good result here.”

Yoho Lake

Yasuo Tomomichi, trainer
“He’s kept his condition since his last race, and working with his training partners on the woodchip course, his reactions have been good, together with his balance. I’m not worried about the going on the day, and if it’s soft, it’ll be better for him than firm ground. If he runs to his best, I think he has a good chance.”

Yusuke Oe, assistant trainer
“His preparation’s gone smoothly, and his condition has even improved for his last race. He seems to have gotten better with age. We’ve been careful to get his balance right. Softer ground would be alright for him.”