Race Overview
 
HIMEJI   23 February 2021
NUM TIME COMMENT
1 10:40 Race 1 1400m
ICHI THE SUNDAY (9) showed good speed and landed on pace before being claimed in the straight and fading to fifth, beaten 3 lengths over 1400m here last time. Will be prominent again and expected to take running down. MASA ROOKIE (7) was sixth last start over 1400m at this track, beaten 5.5 lengths. Race sets up well for him, has to be respected in this company. VEATRICE (8) showed little early speed and was always well back when seventh and beaten 6 lengths over this journey at this track. Better placed here and can bounce back this time. RYUNO DOUR (1) has a moderate winning strike-rate but performed well last time at this track, finishing fourth and only 2.25 lengths from the winner. Should be camped handy in the run and can give a sight.
2 11:10 Race 2 800m
EYELESS TIME (3) got off the mark claiming her maiden success at this track over 800m with the same rider Shingo Oyama aboard. In winning form and expected to be in the finish again. EIKO EMPRESS (7) has two placings from three starts this time in, the latest as favourite at this track. Should be in the finish again. A SHIN MEAD (1) showed early speed from a good draw last time and led until late, holding second and beaten 1.3 lengths over 800m at this track. Rates well on latest run and bold showing expected again. MIYAMA GIRL (2) is a three-year-old filly who is still a maiden after six starts but placed three times. Never a threat when resuming over 1400m at this track, finishing 11 lengths from the winner in ninth. Proven place record with Wataru Hirose back aboard this time. Rates well so don't underestimate.
3 11:40 Race 3 1400m
GROWTH THE GOLD (7) settled well back from a wide draw last time and turned there but wound up strongly, running into fifth over 1400m at this track. Yet to break through at this trip but has racked up three placings and shapes as a key player here. PENNY HARBOR (10) doesn't win out of turn but ran a strong race last time over 1500m at this track when third and beaten a long neck. Backmarker who gets home hard and is sure to go close if runs up to mark. MULLED WINE (9) was safely held two starts ago then bounced back with a third at this track most recently. Encouraging signs last start and looks ready to run well again. MOANA ZINC (4) ran well despite the long odds last time over 1400m at this track when third by 1.5 lengths and starting at $117.20. Winning rider Shuhei Kotani stays aboard again today. Keep safe.
4 12:10 Race 4 1400m
RYUNO TAKESHI TWO (6) ran well for a 1.5 lengths victory at today's course and trip as the favourite last time out. Jockey Kazuma Okaki who has two wins stays aboard today. Well placed here and should be in the finish. GRAY SCALE (1) ran well to win by half a length at this course and journey as the favourite last time out. Drawn for a nice run just off the lead and bold showing expected. KIKUNO VIGO (7) ran well for a 1.75 lengths victory at this circuit and journey last time out. In winning form and strongly fancied on latest effort. Don't underestimate. LEMON (3) raced on the speed and lifted strongly to win by a neck at this circuit and journey last time out. Settles back early but winds up late and has to be included.
5 12:40 Race 5 1400m
Z GLORY (9) is expected to do better here fresh after finishing off last campaign at Sonoda when sixth and beaten 6 lengths when well in the market. Jockey Osamu Shimohara sticks this time. Should be hard to top. GO WITH THE FLOW (10) is in top form this campaign, including a 1.3 lengths win over 1400m at this track last time making it two in a row. Has claims if runs up to his latest effort. TWO M PRIDE (8) was a winner over 1400m at this track last time, showing good early speed and leading throughout to score by a neck. Has a win and two placings at this journey from five starts and is capable of going close on best figures. TAGANO GRANTHAM (6) is a nine start maiden who resumed with a placing over 1400m at this track. Settles back early but winds up late and best figures too dangerous to ignore.
6 01:15 Race 6 1400m
DAISHIN JUNO (8) looks ideally placed to score at her first run in three months. Consistent performer last preparation and should prove hard to beat fresh. HOKUSAI (12) ran well for a 2.5 lengths victory at this circuit and distance last time out. Tricky draw again but rates highly on last run. Expected to go close. R WIZARD (4) has been in the market at his last couple of starts but hasn't made an impression, last start running sixth at this track. Rates strongly on best. May well be worth another chance. HABIL VIENTO (11) gets a winning rider Osamu Shimohara back aboard this time who has scored on him three times. Worth consideration.
7 01:45 Race 7 1500m
PERU CHAN (1) gave a sight here last time, leading until late before sticking on well to finish second and beaten a length over 1400m. Proving a good combination with same rider in the money the last two rides. Best figures should see her run well. YELL SONGS (4) lifted strongly to score last time with a 1.5 lengths win over 1500m at this track, making it two straight wins. Sits handy in the run and expected to prove tough to beat. SCHON FOREST (7) started at $4.70 last time but could only manage fourth by 5 lengths. Has the pace to be thereabouts early and shapes as one to consider. HANG TIME (5) was in a different class last time with a dominant all the way win, scoring by 2 lengths at this track over 1400m. Rates well on latest effort and has to be included.
8 02:20 Race 8 1400m
KEY SIGNAL (1) is in top form and has put together five straight wins, the latest here over 1500m. This looks his optimum trip with four wins from four starts and should be hard to top. CLEE (2) has put back to back wins together, the latest here at the same trip by 3 lengths. Same rider has been aboard at his last two successes. Rates a leading contender. SEVEN MILE (10) made a nice return to find the frame when beaten only half a length this course and distance. Regular rider Toyokazu Tano back aboard again. Has claims if runs up to his mark. MEISHO MOCHIZUKI (11) scored a good win on his final run last campaign at Sonoda over 1400m. Good record at this journey with three wins and two placings from seven starts and best figures have him right around the mark.
9 02:55 Race 9 1500m
TRIBAL KING (2) was fourth last start over 1800m at this track, beaten 2.75 lengths. Expected to be in this for a long way. OKEN IN THE SUN (1) finished fourth over 1500m at this track last time out and was a determined winner two back. Regular rider Shunya Hasebe back aboard again. Expected to be in the finish. LORD OHIA (8) is building towards a win with placings at his last two runs, the latest when second at this track when beaten 1.5 lengths. Should be camped just off the leaders and likely be involved here on best form. S C VARONA (7) struggling to break through but hasn't been far away, the latest finishing a close third at this track. Racing well without winning and can find the frame on best form.
10 03:30 Race 10 1400m
HOTEL CALIFORNIA (7) has a strong winning record with five wins including last start at this track over 1400m. Should be prominent throughout and is sure to go close if runs up to mark. OKEN FIGHTER (2) was safely held last time out when fifth over 1400m at Niigata so sent for a spell and returns here from a seven month break. Rates strongly and should be hard to stop back in this grade. HAGINO AGGRESSIVE (10) was safely held last time out when 12th over 2400m at Tokyo so sent for a spell and returns here from a three month break. Another back sharply in grade and has to be kept safe. TULIPA (9) the next in line.
11 04:05 Race 11 1400m
Z PEARL (9) was an impressive winner last time over 1400m at this track, where she stalked the lead and ran away with a 2.5 lengths win. Record at this journey is sound with seven wins and a placing from 10 runs and a bold showing is expected. ICHIBANYARI (2) ran well to score by 0.8 lengths at this course and distance as the favourite last time out. Jumps from a low gate and looks a genuine threat again here. CURREN EXCALIBUR (8) showed early speed from an outside draw last time and led for much of the way before fading to finish third, beaten 4 lengths over 1400m at this track. Usual rider Hisashi Itano engaged again. Expected to measure up. HOME GAME (10) showed good early dash and sat on the pace for much of the way this course and distance last time, fading to finish fourth and beaten 4 lengths. Can sneak into the finish if runs up to best form.
12 04:40 Race 12 800m
HIBON (10) was a winner at this track last start as the favourite at the same trip, and has been in solid form this campaign with two wins from five starts. Will be handy despite the tricky draw and rates a leading contender. TOWANO VALED (6) is in winning form after scoring as the favourite last time by 0.8 lengths over 800m at this track. Is yet to miss the frame in three starts this course and distance. Looks a leading player again. MIAMI BLUE (3) is struggling to break through, the latest finishing third at this track, but does tend to run well here. Jumps from a good draw and expected to prove a leading contender. RIVER LAND (5) was fourth last start over 800m at this track, beaten 4 lengths. Looks well placed and can feature in the finish.