NIIGATA DIRT 09 Aug 2026
GOING:
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THE LEOPARD STAKES 1800m Track: |
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Plenty of pressure on from the outset. MERCANTOUR (12) is a promising colt yet to miss the frame after four starts, including two wins. Last appeared when he finished second in this class over 1900m at Kyoto Dirt on May 2. Likely to have come on over the break so he is sure to prove tough to beat. SHONAN BANRAI (9) was in a different class last time, sitting just off the speed before letting down impressively for a 5 length win at Kokura Dirt over 1700m. Tougher assignment this time but hard to fault and likely to feature. PYROMANCER (11) is a promising galloper who resumes from a break. Last raced when third over 1900m in the G2 UAE Derby at Meydan Dirt four-and-a-half months ago which was the only run of that prep. Has never been out of the placings first up from two tries. Should be prominent from the outset. Winning claims on best figures. DON ERECTUS (6) went to the paddock after scoring at his last appearance three months ago over 1600m at Tokyo Dirt. Sure to make his presence felt.
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| 1 | 21x71 |
OTSUKA
R OKUBO 3YO BAY COLT 57.0KG Akira Nakatsuji Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up struggled in the run home; 7th of 16 at Kyoto Dirt on May 17 over 1800m, 7 len behind Gian Barows carrying 57.0kg at $17.40. Second-up won by 2 len at Kokura Dirt July 12 over 1700m defeating Love In Action with 55.0kg at $4.40. Won last start and is well-placed again. |
1 AKIHIDE TSUMURA |
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| 2 | x6x1x |
FIREMAN
H UEHARA 3YO CHESTNUT COLT 57.0KG Godolphin Resuming. Only had one start last campaign tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 3 len at Tokyo Dirt May 23 over 1600m defeating Gold Barows carrying 57.0kg at $7. First up last campaign 6th of 16 at Nakayama Dirt on March 14 over 1800m, 5.5 len behind Thunder Wind carrying 57.0kg at $13.60. Don't underestimate. |
2 YUSUKE HARA |
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| 3 | 8x01x |
HISHI AMOUREUSE
N HORI 3YO DK B COLT 57.0KG Hishi Partners LLC. First-up. Finished off last campaign by 2.5 len Tokyo Dirt May 30 over 1600m defeating S C Victoria with 57.0kg at $8.90. First up last campaign 13th of 18 at Tokyo in the G2 TV Tokyo Hai Aoba Sho (Japanese Derby Trial) April 25 over 2400m, 14 len behind Going To Sky carrying 57.0kg at $259.60. Not at this stage. |
3 DAISUKE SASAKI |
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| 4 | 0231x |
COELI VENTO
HISASHI SHIMIZU 3YO DK B COLT 57.0KG Tadahiko Nakamura Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of nine weeks. Finished off last preparation to post a big 6 len win. Hanshin Dirt June 7 over 1800m defeating Bad Ragaz carrying 55.0kg at $2.10. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 3 len Hanshin Dirt February 21 over 1800m defeating Smart Gloire with 57.0kg at $3.60. Keep in mind. |
4 SEINOSUKE YOSHIMURA |
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| 5 | 3x21x |
MAC LIR
T TEZUKA 3YO DK B COLT 57.0KG Silk Racing Co. Ltd. Colt back from a spell of nine weeks. Has placed previously first up from a break. Finished off last campaign won by neck Tokyo Dirt June 7 over 1600m defeating Hokiboshi with 55.0kg at $1.90. First up last campaign second of 15 at Tokyo Dirt May 9 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind Don Erectus with 57.0kg at $2.80. Can run a good race despite the gap between runs. |
5 K TOSAKI |
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| 6 | 2121x |
DON ERECTUS
N TAKAGI 3YO DK B COLT 57.0KG Koichi Yamada Is first-up after a break of three months and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last campaign to post a big 3.5 len win. Tokyo Dirt May 9 over 1600m defeating Mac Lir with 57.0kg at $2.40. Previously first up; 13th of 16 at Tokyo Dirt January 31 over 1600m, 15 len behind Libeccio with 57.0kg at $7. Form shown last campaign makes for good reading. |
6 KIWAMU OGINO |
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| 7 | 1x031 |
PARADISE FAITH
K MAKI 3YO CHESTNUT COLT 57.0KG ST Racing At the latest run favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 2.5 len at Hakodate Dirt July 18 over 1700m defeating Strong Boy with 55.0kg at $3.10. Before that made ground from midfield; 3rd of 12 at Hakodate Dirt on July 11 over 1700m, 1.5 len behind Eifer Shadow with 55.0kg at $3.30. Prefer to watch at this stage. |
7 SHU ISHIBASHI |
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| 8 | 31x5x |
TENKA MUTEKI
TORU HAYASHI 3YO CHESTNUT COLT 57.0KG Hidaka Breeders Union Co. Ltd. Resuming. Finished off last campaign sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 16 at Tokyo Dirt on June 7 over 1600m, 3 len behind Mac Lir carrying 55.0kg at $13.40. When resuming last campaign 3rd of 16 at Nakayama Dirt on March 14 over 1800m, 2.25 len behind Thunder Wind with 57.0kg at $2.50. Doesn't appeal. |
8 YUKITO ISHIKAWA |
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| 9 | 10x11 |
SHONAN BANRAI
TAKESHI MATSUSHITA 3YO CHESTNUT COLT 57.0KG Tetsuhide Kunimoto Third-up today. Resuming favourite; won by 5 len at Hanshin Dirt June 20 over 1800m defeating Ask Chance Man carrying 53.0kg at $9.30. Second-up favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 5 len at Kokura Dirt July 12 over 1700m defeating Sunrise Kevin carrying 55.0kg at $1.50. Hard to fault. Fitter and should appreciate the step up to 1800m. |
9 OSUKE TAYAMA |
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| 10 | 31x51 |
TAGANO ABANDONNE
KOICHI TSUNODA 3YO CHESTNUT COLT 57.0KG Shoji Yagi Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resumes off a 49 day letup. First-up 5th of 9 at Kyoto Dirt in the LR HOSU STAKES on May 30 over 1800m, 7 len behind Itterasshai with 57.0kg at $5.90. Last start favourite; won by 2 len at Hanshin Dirt June 21 over 1800m defeating Soul And Jazz carrying 55.0kg at $1.50. This is going to test him. |
10 YUJI HISHIDA |
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| 11 | 11x3x |
PYROMANCER
KEIJI YOSHIMURA 3YO DK B COLT 57.0KG Godolphin Resuming. Finished off last campaign 3rd of 11 at Meydan Dirt in the G2 UAE Derby on March 28 over 1900m, 8 len behind Wonder Dean with 57kg at $3.80. Won previous preparation first up won by 2 len at Kyoto Dirt October 5 over 1800m defeating Justin Dallas with 56.0kg at $3.40. Resumes in far easier grade after placing in Dubai. Unbeaten this trip. Looks a key runner. |
11 MIRAI IWATA |
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| 12 | 1212x |
MERCANTOUR
HARUKI SUGIYAMA 3YO BROWN COLT 57.0KG Forest Racing Resuming. Finished off last preparation second of 12 at Kyoto Dirt in the G3 Unicorn Stakes May 2 over 1900m, a neck behind Silver Ratio carrying 57.0kg at $2.20. At his first start favourite; won by 1.3 len Kyoto Dirt November 16 over 1800m defeating American Ism with 56.0kg at $3.80. Just missed this class before a spell. Has good upside. Bold performance expected. |
12 RYUSEI SAKAI |
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