SAGA 26 Sep 2026
GOING:
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Race 2 1400m Track: |
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A race that lacks early pressure on paper. SUNRISE HUNTER (1) is the horse to beat after putting this course-and-distance field away by six lengths as a short odds-on favourite, and his earlier C2 run reads better now back in suitable grade. KEISAN NOBLE (3) is the clear danger on consistency, with two Saga placings this time in and a strong 1400m record, though she has been beaten as favourite at her past two. ROUGE PARADIS (11) is harder to trust after failing as favourite last start, but her win over Valeska two back keeps her right in the race. HAPPY KINGDOM (9) is the value of the selected quartet: she has not been winning, yet her recent form includes a relevant edge over Rouge Paradis and she can press for a placing if she finds a stronger finish.
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| 1 | 22261 |
SUNRISE HUNTER
RYUICHIRO KURATOMI 3YO CHESTNUT COLT 56.0KG Takao Matsuoka Dominant over this course and distance last start, winning by six lengths from Eleanor Sunrise as the short odds-on favourite on good ground. The run prior in 3yo+ COND grade was only sixth behind O K Angel, beaten nine and a half lengths, but he kept working despite never looking the winner. With a solid jockey record and proven Saga 1400m form, he sets a strong standard. |
1 NAOHITO TANAKA |
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| 2 | 66793 |
SHODAN BEGIN
HIROFUMI WATANABE 3YO BAY FILLY 54.0KG Improved into third at Saga last start, but the margin was still over 11 lengths and she was unwanted in the market, so that placing needs context. Her previous ninth behind Shosan Kanao also lacked a closing threat. She has placed at this track and distance without winning and the class drop assists, but the distance query keeps her more a minor-money prospect. |
2 REN HASEGAWA |
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| 3 | 78032 |
KEISAN NOBLE
KATSUTOSHI TESHIMA 5YO DK B MARE 54.0KG Cambridge Valley Co. Ltd. Consistent at Saga this campaign, finishing second behind Hagakureno Hata last start after starting favourite, then working home only fairly and being beaten six lengths. Two back she was third to Smart Pirka, beaten just under two lengths as short odds-on favourite. Five wins at the distance give her the right credentials, but she must convert market trust into a stronger finish. |
3 SHINSUKE ISHIKAWA |
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| 4 | 33454 |
QUEEN PALACE
YUKITO SANKODA 4YO DK B FILLY 54.0KG U.Oshima B. Finished fourth behind Queen Saga last start but was beaten over 12 lengths after settling rearward, and the prior fifth to Rising Hearth was still eight and a half lengths away. She has placed eight times from 32 starts without winning, including some Saga 1400m minor form. The rider angle helps, but she needs a much sharper response. |
4 MANATO HIDA |
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| 5 | 97937 |
ULTRA PEACE
MOTONORI MASHIMA 4YO BAY HORSE 56.0KG Worked home from well back when seventh to Nishino Nasturtium last start, beaten just over five lengths, though he was big odds and never likely to feature. His third behind Shosan Kanao two back was more encouraging at a price. A past Saga 1400m win gives him some grounding, but he needs to reproduce the better of those efforts. |
5 TORU TAKEYOSHI |
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| 6 | 78278 |
EIGHT KNOT
TORU YAMADA 3YO CHESTNUT FILLY 51.0KG Returns from a six-week let-up after finishing eighth behind Mrs Jones, beaten over 12 lengths, when unwanted in the market but still holding her ground late. Before that she was seventh in 3yo COND grade behind Melody Seira and picked up nicely in the straight. The 51kg helps and she can run on from her rearward pattern, but winning form is thin. |
6 CAMELLIA SOUTA |
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| 7 | 23009 |
NOBLE EIGER
Sameshima Katsuya 4YO DK B HORSE 56.0KG Nobuhiko Yoshiki Has been below his best at the past two, finishing ninth to Nishino Nasturtium and then tenth behind Mrs Jones when beaten over 15 lengths. He did work home fairly last start from a long way back, and his Saga 1400m place record is respectable. Even so, the recent form line leaves him with a clear task against sharper rivals. |
7 HIROKI YAMASHITA |
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| 8 | 09960 |
SHISHINO STELLA
HIROYUKI YANAI 4YO BAY FILLY 54.0KG Finished last behind Nishino Nasturtium at Saga last start after having the job ahead and failing to close off. The previous sixth to Mrs Jones was also beaten over 11 lengths at big odds. Her career record shows wins, but she is unplaced from 18 starts in the past 12 months, so a major turnaround is required. |
8 JYOJI KOMATSU |
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| 9 | 45485 |
HAPPY KINGDOM
RYUMA KANAGAWA 4YO DK B FILLY 54.0KG Stayed on for fifth behind Vacio last start but faded late after racing prominently and was beaten eight lengths at long odds. The run prior behind Cosmo Roma was also plain, yet she has the recent head-to-head note of beating Rouge Paradis at Saga. Still a 31-start maiden, but that matchup keeps her in the place discussion. |
9 TAKUTO DEMIZU |
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| 10 | 38235 |
AMAI KUCHIZUKE
TORU YAMADA 3YO BAY FILLY 54.0KG Gensho Uchida Was respected in an open market last start but finished fifth behind Queen Saga, beaten over 13 lengths, despite picking up late. Two back she was third to Rising Hearth, though still eight lengths from the winner. Three placings from eight starts show some scope, and the trip is suitable, but she remains an each-way hope needing the race to fall her way. |
10 YOSHIKI YAMADA |
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| 11 | 19016 |
ROUGE PARADIS
YUKITO SANKODA 4YO BAY FILLY 54.0KG Tokyo Horse Racing Co. Ltd. Disappointed as favourite last start when sixth behind Vacio, beaten nine lengths after settling rearward. The start prior was much better, charging home at Saga to beat Valeska by a length as an odds-on favourite. With one win from two at the track and proven 1400m form, she remains a serious chance if she rebounds from that flat run. |
11 YUKIHITO NAGATA |
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