Race Overview
 
HIMEJI   18 February 2025
NUM TIME COMMENT
1 10:45 Race 1 800m
HANDEN LAURIER (2) was never in contention last time over 1400m at Kasamatsu when she finished fifth, beaten 2.75 lengths. This offers her a great chance of breaking through. HOKUZAN CHOUCHOU (6) is back after a break of four-and-a-half months. At the last run before the layoff she finished seventh over 1230m at Sonoda. Bold showing expected. TAMBA KOBAI (5) did little and finished sixth over 800m at this track last start, a less impressive effort than her fifth at Sonoda the run before. Finds a nice race and can take this out. AL RASHID (7) is building towards his maiden success, the latest effort a solid fourth over 800m at this track. Finds a more suitable contest and can get the job done.
2 11:15 Race 2 1400m
OCTOPUSSY (7) was well in commission last start over 1400m at this track when fifth. Can bounce back. KAYAKO (2) ran below expectations last time at this track, finishing seventh. Finds a nice race and can atone. SEVERIN BREEZE (1) placed two back then last time out was fifth. Best form stacks up and he is among the chances. GARO (10) returns from a layoff of 11 weeks. Worth noting she filled a minor placing when returning from a spell last prep over 1230m at Sonoda. Has to be respected.
3 11:45 Race 3 1400m
JERICOACOARA (4) comes here off a break of 11 weeks. Worth noting she filled a minor placing when returning from a spell last prep over 1400m at Sonoda. Rates highly and is likely to be prominent. CROSS AVANCE (5) is close to breaking through after two consecutive placings, the latest coming when third here after being prominent from the outset. Finds a suitable race and can figure in the finish. STEVE BOSS (3) did little and finished in sixth over 1400m at this track last start, a less impressive effort than his first-up fifth at Sonoda the run before. Well placed and there is no reason he cannot find winning ways. AL RIHLA (7) was beaten 2 lengths into fifth in a 1400m contest at this track at her latest appearance. Suitably placed so can turn things around.
4 12:15 Race 4 1400m
T O ROBINSON (1) is close to a win after a string of minor placings, the latest when second over 1400m at this track when he was prominent throughout. Has his share of talent. Hard to beat in this suitable race. MONONOFUNO MICHI (4) strode forward early from his wide draw last start over 1400m at this track then fought on gamely to finish second. Placed to advantage so expect a big run. Z THUNDER (3) is a six-start maiden who finished fifth after being in the firing line on the corner at his most recent outing over 1400m at this track. Looks to be in the right race to play a big role. JO PATIO (2) was fifth in a 1400m contest at this track at her latest appearance. Better than recent efforts suggest.
5 12:50 Race 5 800m
BACHELO REX (9) ran below expectations last time at this track, finishing eighth and beaten 3.5 lengths starting at $3.90. Suitably placed so anticipating a big run this time. TOKINO KELLY (6) doesn't win out of turn but ran a strong race last time out over 800m at this track, finishing third and beaten 1.5 lengths. Suitably placed so anticipating a big run this time. BLUE DESIRE (7) progressed nicely last time out at the second run of the campaign and finished just 1.75 lengths from the winner in third over 800m at this track. Likely improver with strong prospects. SMART KANATHOS (8) was well in commission last time out but could only manage to finish 11th here in a disappointing performance. Finds a nice race and can make amends.
6 01:20 Race 6 800m
LACUS GAUDII (6) was leading on the turn and fought on to finish second over 800m at this track at his latest appearance. Sure to give a brave sight again. CHARMY EYES (1) missed the placings two starts back then ran a better race and finished 2.5 lengths away in fourth last time out over 800m at this track after being in the firing line on the corner. Likely improver with strong prospects. NARITA WOLF (7) has been thereabouts recently, the latest result a fifth beaten 2.75 lengths at this track over 800m. Daichi Matsuki has registered six minor placings when on board. Has claims on his best figures. GAMBARU FUTOSHI (2) turned in a decent effort last start to finish third over 800m at this track. This looks a good race for him and there is no reason he cannot find winning ways.
7 01:55 Race 7 1500m
CAL BAY CRUISE (1) finished seventh when first-up from a spell last start over 1800m at this track after racing on the pace for much of the way. Will be on the speed in transit and is expected to take some running down. NEUER HELD (4) is building towards his maiden success, the latest effort a solid second over 1500m at this track, beaten 3 lengths. Steps up a level but he is good enough to figure in the finish. CHERRY ROMANCE (3) broke through for her maiden win over 1800m at this track last time, scoring comfortably. Winning rider Wataru Hirose sticks and she is a solid top-three hope. LET'S GO ASK (5) finished seventh over 1400m at this track last start after lifting strongly to score two back. Has good early speed so should take up a forward position. Not to be discounted.
8 02:30 Race 8 1400m
A SHIN VORAN (4) finished fourth last start over 1400m at this track, an improvement on his fifth at this track the run before. Looks well placed so expect a big run this time. MEISHO RUTILE (8) finished sixth last time out over 800m at this track after being in contention on the turn two weeks ago. Steps up in distance today. Should be prominent from the outset. Among the leading chances. YAKUJIN MYO O (3) improved sharply on his sixth two starts back at Sonoda with a win over 1400m at this track three weeks ago, getting home by one length after being in the firing line on the turn. Finds a tougher race but he has the ability to test this field. SUNRISE GREAT (1) turned in a better run last start when fifth over 1400m at this track. No surprise to see him in contention.
9 03:05 Race 9 1400m
DAZZLING ICE (10) won over 1230m at Sonoda at her most recent appearance on September 4. Rates highly and should take some beating. KIMON CARRINGTON (2) turned in a fine effort to score by 1.3 lengths at this course and distance last start to maintain his good form of late. Has his share of talent. Hard to beat again in this suitable race. OKEN FIGHTER (9) was prominent from the outset and fought on for second last start over 1400m at this track, making it two minor placings in a row. Nicely placed to give this a mighty shake. ACCORDANCE (3) has been in the placings at her last two starts, finishing second last time over 1400m at this track. Suitably placed so anticipating another big run.
10 03:40 Race 10 1400m
RIKEA SABLE (6) started at $3.70 last time but could only manage fourth at this track over 1400m. Sound record at this distance with three wins and four minor placings from 10 runs and is sure to play a big role. HASHMAL (1) was below her best last time out when seventh. Better than that and can feature on her best form. ECORO SEVEN (5) showed good early speed when resuming last start before fading to finish eighth here. Bold showing expected. ASHAKA DUMEY (8) hasn't been able to break through for an extended period, the latest effort a ninth. Placed to advantage so expect a better run this time.
11 04:15 Race 11 1400m
RYUNO BREAK (1) turned in a sound effort last time but found one better at this track over 1400m, beaten a neck. Cherry-ripe now. Form this campaign has been strong with three wins to his credit. Best form puts him right in this. DIA GRAF (4) could only manage second as favourite last start over 1800m at this track after being in contention on the bend, making it five minor placings from five starts this campaign. Among the leading chances. EINOSUKE (2) turned things around last start and landed the prize by a neck over 1400m at this track. Likely to be there at the finish again. ISLA AZUL (7) has put together back-to-back placings after scoring three back at Sonoda, most recently beaten half a length into third over 1400m at this track. Hard to leave out.
12 04:50 Race 12 1500m
AEDIFICATA (6) has been in great form recently, the latest effort a dominant win at this track to make it three victories in a row. Winning rider Sasaki Serei retains the mount. Must raise the bar but she has the talent to test this line-up. SNARK DURIAN (8) showed good early dash at the first run after a spell last time out and led for most of the way before being claimed and finishing a head away in second over 1500m at this track. Expected to measure up again. YOSHI ICHI (9) turned in a fine effort to score by a head at this course and distance last start in a far better run. Must raise the bar but he has the talent to test this line-up. MR DARLING (11) continued the good recent form when he finished just 0.8 lengths away in second last time out over 1500m at this track. Has an outside gate but is not to be discounted.