This is the first of the G1s for the Autumn Season.

It is run over 1200m at Nakayama and has 16 runners, including the Hong Kong representative Lucky Sweynesse.  He's not much fancied in the Japanese Morning Line but he's much better than the 27.6 price on offer.

If the race were to be run in Hong Kong then Lucky Sweynesse would probably be close to favourite if not favourite but in Japan they pay more attention to the locals.  Certainly the favourite Satono Reve deserves the star billing. He won the big Spring sprint (the Takamatsunomiya at Hanshin) and did well at Ascot in June.  Joao Morera is trainer Hori's pick to ride him and he is on 2.8.

There's quite a bit of support for Namura Clair who is having a fourth try and the race and is on 5.0.  2023 winner Mama Cocha is in good form and could well start shorter than the 8.6 on offer.  I would put her in ahead of Namura Clair and then I would put Lucky Sweynesse in for third.  Lucky Sweynesse showed a return to top form when recently not too far behind Ka Ying Rising on Opening Day at Sha Tin and has settled in well in Japan.  Derek Leung has the ride and knows his horse very well.

We have a roughie here in June Blair, to be ridden by Yutaka Take and trained by his brother.  The horse has been lightly raced but manages to finish at the right end of the field and could just sneak in here.