Byzantine Dream

Tomoyasu Sakaguchi, trainer
“His rhythm and balance are both good, and his times have been fine, so he should be good going into the race.”

Hayato Mitsuya, assistant trainer
“The horse’s balance is better than it was before he went to Qatar, and things have been as expected with him up to now. I wonder how he’ll do on the inner course that the race is run over, but compared to before, he starts well and gets into the flow of things alright. It’ll depend on how the race is run this time.”

Cosmo Kuranda

Shizuya Kato, trainer
“There have been no problems, and everything’s as expected with him. He hasn’t had to be pushed to post good times. He won’t be one of the fancied runners this time. It’s important that he gets to run a smooth race, and we’ll rely on the jockey to do his best. The horse has a chance.”

Yoshinori Ito, assistant trainer
“He looks well in his coat, and his shape looks good, particularly his back. He’s worked on the woodchip course, with a piece of work planned on the uphill before the race, which is the usual practice with him. He did well in last year’s Arima Kinen, but it won’t be an easy race this time. If he can produce the same kind of run, showing that he has ability, I hope he’ll be able to find a good rhythm and do his best this time.”

Croix du Nord

Takashi Saito, trainer
“He looked a little heavy after returning from the farm, but in training, he’s worked well running on the outside. With the work he’s had, he’s switched on, and his breathing’s fine. He’s also finishing off his training well. It’ll be his third race this spring, and having raced over 2,000 meters and 3,200 meters, I was a bit worried he might be tired, but looking at him, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Things will hopefully go smoothly right up until the race, when I think he can do well again. I’m looking forward to it.”

Danon Decile

Shogo Yasuda, trainer
“He was a bit unlucky last time in the Osaka Hai, especially at the final corner. I am pleased that his balance is better than it was for the Arima Kinen. He’s handled his training workload well. We continue to try and improve his balance more with his training, and this last week we’ve concentrated on getting him to run in a relaxed way.”

Tomonori Kaneori, assistant trainer
“He’s in good condition, and we hope things stay that way right up to the race. He’s had practice starting, but it will be one of the keys with him in the race itself, when we hope he’ll start well. I don’t think he has to lead, but to go forward and find a good rhythm would be good, where he can use the power he has to the best of his ability.”

Hideaki Miyuki, jockey
“He’s an easy horse to ride, and he’s been running with a good rhythm.”

June Take

Hidenori Take, trainer
“He’s fine after his trip to Hong Kong, and things have gone smoothly, as we target this next race with him. He’s worked well on the uphill in training, and his movement looks good enough. It’s not a problem that he’s had quite a bit of racing. The opposition is strong, but with the condition he’s in, I expect him to run well.”

Meiner Emperor

Hisashi Shimizu, trainer
“He’s worked solo on the woodchip course, and things are as usual with him. He’s a type that does well over longer distances, and I think the 2,200 meters this time should be fine. He tends to run his best when he goes forward and tries to keep up his momentum. One key will be the first corner of the race, but I hope he can get a good position.”

Meisho Tabaru

Mamoru Ishibashi, trainer
“We sent him to the farm after his last race. Since returning, his footwork has lightened up a lot with his training. He did well in the race last year, and just a little cut in the ground would be alright for him. It’s not always a given that he’ll run well, but when he does, his performances are very good. We’ll also be relying on the jockey to bring the best out of him.”

Yutaka Take, jockey
“There’s no change in his condition. He ran a fast time last race, and even with a bit of rain, I think he can find enough. It’s fine if another horse wants to lead. He’s a horse that knows how to win, and I want to do my best to make it two consecutive wins in the race.”

Toru Hayashi, trainer
“Considering the going on the training track, I’ve been pleased with what he’s done, and he seems a bit lighter in his movements compared to before. We don’t overdo it with him. There’s a bit of distance to the first corner in the race this time, so that should make things easier. Although it won’t be an easy race, I’m really looking forward to what he might be able to do, especially with his big stride, and it should be a good experience for him for the future.”

Museum Mile

Daisuke Takayanagi, trainer
“The key is how he’ll do after his long layoff. Looking at him, there doesn’t seem to be any change, but he has become a bit bigger. He’s a good horse, and just as it was for the Arima Kinen, he shifts up a gear just before the race.”

Yuichi Tomomichi, assistant trainer
“He’s been switched on in his recent work on the woodchip course. Even though he hasn’t had a race for six months, we had in mind to send him overseas, so he’s in good shape and not loose at all. It’ll be his first time at Hanshin, but racing right-handed over 2,200 meters should be fine. Hopefully this will give him some momentum for the second half of the year, so we’re expecting a good run.”

My Universe

Koshiro Take, trainer
“He’s probably around 30kg heavier, but that’s including his recovery from his last race. He’s moving a lot better than before, so I don’t think he needs to do so much. He seems better than he was for the Nikkei Sho. He’s had good results at Nakayama, and I think he can do alright at Hanshin, as it’s a right-handed track as well. He ran in the Kikuka Sho, and this time he also comes up against some top-level horses. He’s in good condition, and it’ll be interesting to see what kind of race he can run. It’ll be a good experience for him.”

Mystery Way

Shinya Kobayashi, trainer
“He’s worked with two other horses and has had to deal with some pressure in training, but he’s done things as I would have expected. He’s not a quick horse to get into stride, although last time he went to the lead over 3,200 meters, and I’m wondering about what we should try this time. His previous races have been a bit hard, but we’ll rely on the jockey to do his best. I want the rider to be brave and ride with real purpose. We’ll just have to see what the horse can do this time.”

Regaleira

Tetsuya Kimura, trainer
“We’ve trained her as if she were actually in a race, getting her to find a good rhythm and handling any tight situations. She’s done these things very well.”

Yu Ota, assistant trainer
“We’ve had some leeway with her, and she should be in good condition going into the race. Her workload and times have been good enough. She had an injury last year, but with the same rotation as this last year, this year’s been a lot better. She can still race well. Up against the strong opponents here, I want her to do her best.”

Shake Your Heart

Toru Miya, trainer
“It’s three months since he’s had a race, but everything’s fine with him, and he’s in good condition and running well. His best distance might be 2,000 meters, but 2,200 meters shouldn’t be a problem. He tends to hang a bit, and racing left-handed might be best, but I don’t see a real problem with the change of track. He’s had some good final three-furlong times in recent races, and I think he’s different now compared to before. A fast pace suits him. Even though it’s a strong field this time, I don’t think he’ll let himself down in the race.”

Shin Emperor

Yukihiko Araki, assistant trainer
“He’s worked well with a couple of other horses on the woodchip course, and his workload has been good. Ideally, he’d be better racing left-handed, but distance-wise this race should be fine, and it’s good that it’s not too hot at the moment. With it just being the second week of racing at the track, the turf should be in good condition, and I think he can run better than he did in the Tenno Sho.”

Stinger Glass

Yasuo Tomomichi, trainer
“He’s recovered from any tiredness, and has been working well. There’s a good feeling about him, now that he’s been at the stable a while. He has won over 3,400 meters, but between 2,200 meters and 2,400 meters would be good for him. He’s not one to pick up quickly, so a bit of cut in the ground would help his chances. Against these strong horses, I wonder what he might be able to do.”

Sugar Kun

Hisashi Shimizu, trainer
“His workload’s been good, working on the uphill training track. There are no problems with his legs and he’s running well. He’s put on about 14kg, but I don’t feel that he’s overweight. He’s been as expected since his last race, and I think he can run well anywhere. It’ll be his second race after a long spell on the sidelines, and I wonder how he’ll shape up against the tough opposition.”

Tagano Dude

Toru Miya, trainer
“He’s finished off his work well, and I have no complaints about him. There doesn’t seem to be any change in his condition and he’s very well. He’s just done light work this last week. He’s been finding a good rhythm in his races, as he did earlier in his career. The 2,200 meters looks a lot better for him, and he should be able to get into the flow of the race easier. Looking at the field, it won’t be a slow pace, and that should be fine for him. It’ll depend on what kind of finish he can put in.”