Sweep ToshoSweep Tosho: Another champion mare - the Champion Older Filly / Mare of Japan in 2005. She showed that fillies and mares can be competitive in this race when she ran past Heart's Cry in the 2005 renewal. It's been a while since she won a big race, but she is in good shape, and her amazing finish to grab 2nd place behind Kongo Rikishio (who subsequently franked the form) in record time in the Grade 2 Yomiuri Milers Cup in April showed she can still be competitive against the top horses. Like Kawakami Princess, she was disappointing when finishing 9th last start when heavily favored in the Victoria Mile, but the pace on here may help backmarkers like her and a win would certainly not surprise - even against these horses.
Pop RockPop Rock: Won the Meguro Kinen (2500m) for the second year in a row last start, but is yet to win at Grade 1 level. He has performed well against the top horses though with his 2nd in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup in Australia, and his 2nd in the Grade 1 Arima Kinen last year both outstanding performances. He started 2007 well with a strong finishing 2nd in the Grade 2 Kyoto Kinen behind Admire Moon over this distance, before being slightly disappointing in Dubai, although he did not enjoy the best of luck in the run. His last start win with top weight of 58.5kgs showed he returned from Dubai well though, and he is certainly capable of running a strong race here.
Cosmo Bulk
(c) Singapore Turf ClubCosmo Bulk: Fairytale galloper who won the $3 Million Singapore Airlines International Cup in 2006. Is officially registered with the NAR (National Association of Racing) which is run by local governments - and began his career racing for much less prizemoney than is available in the JRA (his 2nd career win earned him just 200,000 yen - less than US$2,000!). His domestic career so far has seen him win one JRA Grade 3 and two JRA Grade 2 races, as well as 2nd placings in two of the most prestigious JRA Grade 1 races - the Satsuki Sho (2000 Guineas equivalent) and the Japan Cup, in 2004. He has been out of the placings in Japan over the past year, and last start traveled down to Singapore to attempt a repeat performance of his 2006 win, but was defeated by another Japanese galloper - Shadow Gate. He has been a popular horse throughout his career, but he doesn't seem to be able to compete at the highest level in Japan anymore.
Shadow Gate
(c) Singapore Turf ClubShadow Gate: As mentioned above, the winner of the $3 Million Singapore Airlines International Cup in May this year. He has improved out of sight in the past 6 months, bursting onto the Grade racing scene when winning the first Grade race of the year (the Grade 3 Nakayama Kimpai) by 7 lengths, but that was on a wet track, and that may well be the key to his chances here. Has been running well in easier races on dry tracks this year, but if the track is wet on Sunday, he needs to be included among the chances - he grows an extra leg!
It is difficult to give serious chances to other runners in the field on Sunday, with this year's Takarazuka Kinen being such a wonderful renewal. However, it is always difficult to write off good horses, and with the right run, horses such as Admire Main (2nd behind Meisho Samson in the 2006 Japanese Derby), Asakusa Kings (2nd behind Vodka in this year's Japanese Derby), Inti Raimi (2nd behind Deep Impact in the 2005 Japanese Derby), Swift Current (2nd behind Daiwa Major in the 2006 Tenno Sho (Autumn)), and Tokai Trick (3rd behind Meisho Samson in this year's Tenno Sho (Spring)) can all be in the finish.
It really is a field full of the best horses in Japan, and Sunday's race will no doubt prove a guide for racing in the 2nd half of 2007 - not only within Japan, but also around the world.
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