SAGA 26 Sep 2026
GOING:
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Race 7 1400m Track: |
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Good pace headed by Astaequus, Recuerdo and Held, with Viator and World Peko close by. VIATOR (8) sets the standard on consistency, having filled third at her past three runs and most recently finishing third at Saga when beaten just over a length as favourite. Her record at this track and distance is a major anchor, although she still has to turn repeated placings into a win. ASTAEQUUS (3) is the main threat second-up, with a first-up second behind O K Angel following a dominant 3yo+ C1 win over 1750m here when beating Sodermanland by six lengths. NOBLE BEACH (9) is building well into the campaign, third last start after a second over 1750m, and his broader Saga 1400m record keeps him right in the argument despite the long wait for another win. HELD (10) is less convincing off a fourth beaten over 10 lengths, but his win over Eminence Rose two back and solid past-year record give him enough substance to stay in the winning mix if he rebounds sharply.
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| 1 | 84464 |
PAWA POKE CHAMP
AKIMASA IBI 5YO BAY HORSE 56.0KG Improved to fourth in a 3yo+ B3 at Saga last start, beaten four lengths by Dead Vlei after settling rearward at big odds. The run prior was only sixth, but he did work home fairly after giving away a start and had been near the top of betting. Proven here and with Tsubasa Kamo back aboard, he has enough support to be a minor-money player if the distance query does not bite. |
1 TSUBASA KAMO |
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| 2 | 56927 |
NOTHING ON YOU
HIROFUMI WATANABE 8YO BAY MARE 54.0KG Bando B. Disappointed as a well-found runner last start when seventh in a 3yo+ B3 at Saga, beaten just over seven lengths by Dead Vlei after settling rearward. That needs forgiving only on output, not excuses, but her previous second to Rhein Angela was sound at generous odds. A three-time track-and-distance winner, she profiles as a realistic place hope if she recaptures that earlier run. |
2 MANATO HIDA |
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| 3 | 331x2 |
ASTAEQUUS
MASHIMA NIIYA 4YO CHESTNUT HORSE 56.0KG KR Japan Resumed with a second in a 3yo+ C1 at Saga, though he was beaten nine lengths by O K Angel after tracking the speed and only working home fairly. His previous start was far stronger, winning a 1750m 3yo+ C1 by six lengths from Sodermanland. Second-up now, with a solid track-and-distance record and Isao Yamaguchi aboard, he looks a genuine winning chance if sharper late. |
3 ISAO YAMAGUCHI |
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| 4 | 23140 |
RECUERDO
RYUMA KANAGAWA 4YO DK B HORSE 56.0KG Lion Race Horse Co. Ltd. Started favourite in a 3yo+ B3 at Saga last start but led and stopped quickly, finishing second last and beaten a long way by Dead Vlei. His fourth over 1750m here the run prior was more respectable, yet still left him beaten just over five lengths. The track-and-distance record is strong, but that latest collapse is too stark to overlook without a clear rebound. |
4 TAKUTO DEMIZU |
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| 5 | 5557x |
KASHINO ASAP
MITSUNORI KOGA 4YO BROWN HORSE 56.0KG Tsutomu Kashiwagi Returns from a three-month break after finishing seventh at Saga, beaten six lengths by Felsite when unwanted in the market and close enough if good enough. Two back, he was fifth in a 3yo+ B5 here, beaten just over a length at long odds. His five wins at this track and distance command respect, but recent race evidence says he must lift noticeably fresh. |
5 REN HASEGAWA |
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| 6 | 56187 |
WORLD PEKO
HISAMI YANO 6YO BAY MARE 54.0KG Masamichi Hayashi Was only battling from the turn when seventh over 900m at Saga last start, beaten just over seven lengths by Francina Tesoro at long odds. The previous run was weaker again, eighth and beaten over 10 lengths by Rhein Angela. The class drop is some help, but she is unplaced in three starts at the distance and others bring more reliable recent form. |
6 LEO NAKAYAMA |
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| 7 | 84746 |
FINAL SWORD
TORU YAMADA 6YO BAY HORSE 56.0KG Yoshizawa Holdings Co. Ltd Finished sixth over 900m at Saga last start, beaten just over six lengths by Francina Tesoro after settling well back and giving away too much start. His prior fourth behind Lux Mendes was fair rather than threatening, again at long odds. Returning to a proven track-and-distance setup helps, but his recent profile still asks for a sharper finish. |
7 TORU TAKEYOSHI |
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| 8 | 32333 |
VIATOR
MASANORI MASHIMA 4YO DK B FILLY 54.0KG G1 Racing Co. Ltd. Returns from a six-week freshening after another honest placing at Saga, finishing third to Rhein Angela and beaten just over a length as favourite. She had also run third behind Felsite the start before, so the consistency is clear even if the winning strike rate is modest. With one win and six places from eight starts at this track and distance, she is the one they have to beat. |
8 TAKU KAWASHIMA |
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| 9 | 56x23 |
NOBLE BEACH
Sameshima Katsuya 5YO BAY HORSE 56.0KG Nobuhiko Yoshiki Continued a solid return to racing when third in a 3yo+ B3 at Saga last start, beaten three lengths by Dead Vlei after settling rearward. Two back, he came from an unlikely position to run second over 1750m behind Ascot Roman despite being unwanted in the market. Third-up with four wins at this track and distance, he looks a strong threat despite the winless past year. |
9 HIROKI YAMASHITA |
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| 10 | 06814 |
HELD
MOTONORI MASHIMA 5YO BAY HORSE 53.0KG Yu Hirai Made good late ground when fourth in a 3yo+ C1 at Saga last start, although the margin was over 10 lengths behind O K Angel and he was at big odds. His previous run carries more weight, winning a 3yo+ C1 here by a neck from Eminence Rose when well found in betting. With four wins in the past 12 months, he can run into the placings if he reproduces that stronger version. |
10 CAMELLIA SOUTA |
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