Race Overview
 
HIMEJI   30 January 2025
NUM TIME COMMENT
1 10:40 Race 1 1400m
CROSS AVANCE (4) encouraging first-up run when third at Sonoda over 1400m on December 30. Fitter and worth following up. R WIZARD (12) is returning from a spell of four months. Finished fifth at Sonoda over 1400m at the first run last prep. Now with a new trainer Masaya Komura. Has found a suitable race and expect a bold run. MAGNETAR (1) tasted defeat last start when fifth over 1400m at Sonoda. Best figures measure up and makes plenty of appeal. SEAMLESS (11) again failed to feature last start, finishing ninth over 1230m at Sonoda. Leading prospect on best form.
2 11:10 Race 2 1400m
YUINO OTOSHIANA (1) made progress last time out, finishing second at the end of 1400m at Sonoda. Draws the fence and is a top chance. BEST OF KING (8) is building up to a maiden win. In the placings for the first time last start when third over 1400m at Sonoda. Heading the right way and gets his chance to get off the mark. MARINO FORTISSIMO (4) came home well last start to finish second, beaten a nose, over 1400m at Sonoda. Capable of going well. PAY BASQUE (3) last start finished fifth at Sonoda over 1400m after being in contention on the turn. Well placed and can go a couple better here.
3 11:40 Race 3 1400m
HERMANITO (10) has not appeared since he won over 1230m at Sonoda on October 4. Expect he is primed for a big first-up performance. BLU CLASSICO (5) finished last campaign with a couple of minor placings, the latest over 1400m at Sonoda four months ago. Settles back early but winds up late. Could prove hard to hold out. KIKUNO ARDENT (11) finished out of the money when fifth over 1400m at Sonoda two weeks ago. Yet to miss the placings from four starts at this track. In the mix. COEUR BRILLER (1) last start finished fourth at Sonoda over 1400m. Placed to advantage and can feature in the finish.
4 12:10 Race 4 1400m
ASK SUSTAINABLE (4) was sent out favourite last time and scored by 5 lengths over today's trip at Sonoda. Has a sound record at this journey with three wins and two minor placings. In form and should go well again. ECORO AMORE (7) was comfortably accounted for when fifth last start over 1400m at Sonoda following a good first-up win there. Can produce a winning run here. STEEL AGNES (1) was in a different class last time with a dominant all-the-way win by 6 lengths at Sonoda over 1400m. Strong performer at this stage of the prep with a win and one minor placing from three appearances. Shapes as a key runner. SUNRISE GREAT (9) finished back in sixth over 1400m at Sonoda last time out after a gutsy win the start prior. Can bounce back.
5 12:40 Race 5 800m
VENTO DI PACE (5) has been racing well this preparation, scoring last start over 1230m at Sonoda to make it two wins from three runs this time in. Has good early speed so should take up a forward position and could prove tough to beat. HOT SUMMER NIGHT (11) returned from a spell four weeks ago when she was ninth over 1400m at Sonoda. Fitter and anticipating a better run this time. MEISHO KORAN (4) missed the frame last start over 820m at Sonoda, finishing fourth. Ready to run a big race. ARAJAI (2) is stepping out at this circuit for the first time. Last appeared when he finished fifth over 820m at Sonoda on January 3. Set for a strong run.
6 01:10 Race 6 1400m
VENICE QUEEN (10) showed good early dash last start and held on well to finish only 0.8 lengths back in second over 1230m at Sonoda. In the right race and is a winning hope. JAYDEN (1) won at a big price by half a length two starts back over 1400m at Sonoda then finished 11th over 1400m there two weeks ago. Big chance to find winning form again. MJUK INDY (7) improved last start to finish second over 1400m at Kanazawa. Meeting a deeper field this time but he deserves plenty of thought. BELLAGIO HARUKA (4) finished fourth over 1870m at Sonoda at her most recent appearance on October 18. Must be respected here.
7 01:40 Race 7 1500m
BELLAGIO CHAMP (7) is going well in his first prep but did let favourite backers down last time when third over 1400m at Sonoda. Overdue and gets his chance. HINANO TSURUTSURU (4) recorded a gutsy maiden victory last time out over 1400m at Sonoda, scoring by a nose. Looks well-placed and can go well again. YOFUKASHI (8) is ticking along okay with two runs this time in. Improved last time out when third at Sonoda over 1400m. Has good early toe so he should be handy in the run. Capable of testing this field. AMANOHABAKIRI (5) raced on the speed last time but couldn't finish the race off and clocked in fourth over 1400m at Sonoda. Should be competitive.
8 02:10 Race 8 1800m
DIA GRAF (3) has recorded four minor placings from four starts this preparation, the latest when second as a well-fancied conveyance over 1700m at Sonoda. Continues to impress and gets his chance to break through. WIN RESERVE (2) is coming along nicely this prep. Finished seventh when fresh from a spell two starts back at Sonoda then improved and scored over 1700m there four weeks ago, getting home by a neck. Stepping up a level this time but on his best form he is good enough to cope. A SHIN LICHT (5) held on well to finish third last time out over 1700m at Sonoda after leading for much of the way. Top-three hope. POD OURS (1) missed the frame last start over 1700m at Sonoda when eighth. A better run is on the cards.
9 02:45 Race 9 1800m
BELLAGIO DREAM (1) made it back-to-back wins when successful last start over 1700m at Sonoda, getting home by a head. Meets some better types this time but this looks well within his grasp. RAPIDO FIORE (5) missed the frame last start when he got a long way back over 1700m at Sonoda, finishing sixth. Tackling a more suitable race this time so he is a major player. IZA GREEN LIGHT (2) closed last prep nine weeks ago when he finished second over 1700m at Sonoda. Solid top-three hope fresh. LAZULITE TAKKA (3) is close to breaking through after two consecutive placings, the latest coming when third over 1700m at Sonoda. Finds a suitable race and can build on solid recent efforts.
10 03:15 Race 10 1400m
INGRID ROSE (7) didn't do a bad job when third last start over 1400m at Sonoda, beaten a long neck following a win at there the start prior. Nicely placed to play a pivotal role. AUSPICIOUS DAY (4) ran sixth at his latest appearance over 1400m at Sonoda. Terrific chance to return to form. POD HALO (9) finished second at Sonoda two runs back but was less effective last time over 1230m there, finishing back in sixth. Likely improver. LAMBEAU LEAP (10) returns from a spell of four-and-a-half months and did win first-up last time in work over 1400m at Sonoda. Solid top-three hope.
11 03:50 Race 11 1400m
SMART SCEPTER (1) is a talented galloper who is unbeaten in two runs this time in, the latest at Sonoda over 1230m. Easy winner last time and looks the testing material again. ALL PARFAIT (10) resumes from a spell of nine months and is having his first outing under new trainer Ishibashi Mitsuru. Finished eighth at Fukushima over 1200m at the opening run last time in work. Sure to be primed for this and a bold showing is anticipated. DAIRIN WOLF (8) is racing well, scoring two back at Saga before finishing 1.75 lengths from the winner in third last time over 1300m there. Should camp just off the leaders and can feature. LORD GLADIO (6) returns from a layoff of six-and-a-half months. Worth noting he filled a minor placing when returning from a spell last time in work over 1200m at Funabashi. Makes plenty of appeal here.
12 04:30 Race 12 1400m
VIVE LA GALETTE (1) went forward when resuming last start and proved too strong, getting home by 2.5 lengths over 1400m at Sonoda. Drawn to enjoy a good run on the speed. This looks a sterner test than last time but on her best form she is one of the chief contenders. TAIKI ZIPANGU (8) racing well. Registered a strong win at Sonoda two runs ago then closed off nicely when beaten half a length last time out. Major player. NEUJAHR (9) won two back then was on the move turning for home and found the line strongly to finish third over 1400m at Sonoda last time out. Expected to be in the finish. MARINO MAGICAL (2) improved last start but found a couple better over 1230m at Sonoda, beaten 2.5 lengths. No surprise to see her in the mix.