3 minute read

This is one of the two races in Japan where the first ten horses are selected by popular vote.

This G1 is run at Hanshin over 2200m and has a relatively small field this year of 12 runners, and no overseas contestants.

Almond Eye, who was the top selection by vote, isn't here this time as he's on a well-earned holiday so the top of the popular vote horses is Rey de Oro followed by Kiseki and Al Ain.

Rey de Oro won the 2017 Derby and was 6th this year in the Sheema in Dubai and will have Christophe Lemaire riding.  Kiseki was the winner of the 2017 Kikuka Sho and second in the Japan Cup last year, and Al Ain won the Osaka Hai, considered a good prep for this.  They are on 3.9, 4.5 and 7.0 respectively.

There are three other G1 winners in the mix.  Makahiki 9.9 won the 2016 Derby and then had a long lay-off with a leg injury but he's bounced back and was 4th in the Osaka Hai.  Suave Richard 8.7 was third in the Sheema in Dubai and will be ridden by Mirco Demuro.

And finally we like Lys Gracieux, who has done well in Hong Kong and looks to be in great shape, plus as a filly has a 2kg weight advantage for the very in-form jockey Damien Lane, who rode a 5-timer in Tokyo on Saturday.  She's great value on 7.1.

There are showers forecast for the afternoon but not serious enough to affect the racing.