OHI   31 Jan 2025
 
GOING:

Race 8 1600m

Track:      

A keen early contest with Shotmaker and Benissimo leading from Sparta Leonidas. SPARTA LEONIDAS (2) is close to a win with two recent placings, the latest when second over 1500m at Urawa. Reunites with jockey Norifumi Mikamoto who knows him well, including four wins while aboard. Expecting a bold showing. ORTHO SLUGGER (3) turned in a strong run over this course and distance last time, settling well back then unleashing in the straight to get up for third. A repeat of the latest effort will see him in the finish again. BENISSIMO (4) returned from a spell last start with a strong win by 2.5 lengths over 1600m at this track. Has a solid second-up record and this looks well within his grasp. LORD BALDER (5) was eighth at the second run back from a break in an 1800m contest at this track at his latest appearance. Likely improver with strong top-three prospects.
1 03x80 SHOTMAKER
TAKASHI HARITA
6YO  CHESTNUT  HORSE 57.0KG

Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 8th of 10 at Funabashi on December 17 over 1800m, 16 len behind Saint Ex with 55kg at $73.70. Second run from a spell second last of 13 at Funabashi on January 21 over 1600m, 10 len behind Mille Nuits carrying 57kg at $5.60. Didn’t fire last start but is capable of better.
1
AKIRA HARITA
BLACK, YELLOW RIGHT SASH, STRIPED SLEEVES, White cap
2 0x422 SPARTA LEONIDAS
Kenichi Shigeta
6YO  DK B  HORSE 55.0KG

Form hard to fault. Comes off a 37 day let-up. Most recently made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 9 at Urawa on December 25 over 1500m, 0.5 len behind Battle Parileyya with 55kg at $2.90. The start before that ran on from midfield; 2nd of 10 at Urawa on November 21 over 1500m, 4 len behind La Briage carrying 57kg at $4.30. Well placed to take this out.
2
NORIFUMI MIKAMOTO
RED, WHITE FIVE STARS, NAVY SLEEVES, WHITE STARS, Grey cap
3 22513 ORTHO SLUGGER
HIROYUKI INOUE
7YO  BAY  GELDING 55.0KG

Racing well. Comes here off a 36-day let-up. Most recently 3rd of 9 at this track on December 26 over 1600m, 5 len behind Benissimo with 55kg at $3.70. The race before that won by 1.0 len at this track December 2 over 1600m defeating Mesan Durant carrying 57kg at $2. Sure to be right there at the business end.
3
RYUJI TATSUSHIRO
MAGENTA, BLACK HALVES, BLACK DIAMOND BAND, BLACK SLEEVES, Salmon cap
4 255x1 BENISSIMO
CHIAKI HORI
6YO  BAY  GELDING 55.0KG
Nissin Holdings Co. Ltd.
Second run back. Comes off a 36-day let-up. First-up after four months tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 2.5 len at this track December 26 over 1600m defeating American Seed with 57kg at $26.40. Previously second-up 4th of 12 at this track on June 26 over 1400m, 3.5 len behind Mazao carrying 56kg at $7.70. The one to beat based on that latest effort. Improver with winning prospects.
4
RYO FUJITA
WHITE, RED DIAMOND CHECK, BLUE SLEEVES, Cyan cap
5 00x98 LORD BALDER
KAZUMA HASHIMOTO
6YO  BROWN  HORSE 55.0KG
Lord Horse Club Co. Ltd.
Third-up today. First-up ran last of 9 at this track on December 26 over 1600m, 14 len behind Benissimo with 55kg at $29.30. Last start second last of 9 at this track on January 14 over 1800m, 11 len behind Rebake Full City carrying 55kg at $138. Safely held last time out but this suits.
5
TOSHIYA YAMAMOTO
WHITE, RED HALVED, RED DIAMOND BAND, RED SLEEVES, WHITE ARMBANDS, COLLAR, Yellow cap
6 577x5 LAST MAN
HIDEYO YONEDA
8YO  CHESTNUT  HORSE 57.0KG
Takashi Domori
Second-up. Comes off a 36-day let-up. First-up after three months 5th of 9 at this track on December 26 over 1600m, 5.5 len behind Benissimo carrying 57kg at $30.50. Previously second-up eased back early on 6th of 10 at this track on May 17 over 1800m, 12 len behind Hades Keeper carrying 57kg at $161.50. Must improve significantly.
6
WADA JOJI
RED,WHITE ZIGZAG CHEVRON,PURPLE SLEEVES, Light green cap
7 0000x HANDIES PEAK
CHIAKI HORI
7YO  BAY  HORSE 57.0KG
Koji Maeda
First-up. Finished off last preparation when last of 12 at this track September 13 over 1800m, 16 len behind Highestend carrying 57kg at $15.30. First up last campaign 12th of 16 at Tokyo Dirt April 27 over 2100m, 19 len behind Maple Ridge carrying 58.0kg at $37.60. Not ready yet.
7
RYOTA SUGAWARA
ORANGE,WHITE SLEEVES,ORANGE STARS, Light brown cap