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JRA racing at Kokura, Tokyo, and returning to Hanshin this weekend. The Saturday highlights are the Listed Rakuyo Stakes at Hanshin over the mile, and the Grade 3 Daily Hai Queen Cup at Tokyo, also over 1600m. The latter contest sees the return clash of a few fillies who contested the Grade 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies back in December and is a stepping-stone to the 1000 Guineas and possibly the Oaks in March/April. The best bets across the three circuits look this way.
Hanshin Race 11 - #10 Sound Vivace
The feature race on the Hanshin card sees this capable four-year-old return from a four-month spell.
Her last campaign was opened on 10 September 2022 in the Grade 3 Shion Stakes. A $4.90 chance on that occasion, she led the strong field of fillies into the Nakayama straight and looked home only to be collared near the line by Stunning Rose at the end of 2000m. She subsequently finished three lengths behind the same filly to clock-in a respectable seventh in the Grade 1 Shuka Sho at her latest appearance.
The Takayanagi stable has found the ideal race to launch this prep. She is a four-year-old who comes to hand quickly and has proven herself against much better company. Coming back to a mile is not a concern as both her wins to date have come at the trip.
Onyankopon has not won for around 13 months but showed he was getting back to something like his best last start when he worked home strongly to finish just 2.2 lengths away over today's trip at Chukyo. A slightly longer trip would be more to his liking, but a keen tempo is on the cards which should set things up for his late swoop.
Kokura Dirt Race 8 - #7 Patagonia
This handy mare looks ideally placed to return to winning form.
First-up from a spell she settled midfield and but struggled in the muddy footing in what was her first try on the dirt, and clearly resented the throwback. Given it was the first run for almost a year and not her preferred firmer ground, it is worth forgiving the run. Her rating was many lengths off her best.
Generally she goes forward so expect her to be ridden positively this time. In a race devoid of consistent performers at this level she is worth considering at each-way odds. Her best figures are equal to anything in this race so she can bounce back.
Water Ukiuki was runner-up last time and looks the main threat. She is ready to win and is second pick, just ahead of Couronnede Lareine.
Tokyo Race 6 - #10 Brede Weg
Don't expect a generous price about this promising three-year-old but she should be winning this maiden.
Her only appearance to date was on 21 August when she drove hard late but just missed out over today's trip at Niigata when sent out a warm favourite. Her opponents today come from various races that can be difficult to line up, but the ratings tell us she has quite a bit on this field.
The Miyata stable has booked Lemaire to guide the filly, and with a pinch of luck from the awkward gate he should partner the daughter of Lord Kanaloa to her first win.
Oval Bloom has raced three times over 1800m for two minor placings, the most recent a fortnight ago at this circuit. She should be about the mark again, and although not able to match the performance level of Brede Weg to date, she does have a fitness edge.
Tokyo Race 11 - #7 Doe Eyes
The Grade 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies run over a mile on 11 December is the key form reference for this race, and Doe Eyes clearly comes out of that contest with the right credentials.
The daughter of Rulership started from an awkward gate that day so was restrained to settle worse than midfield. When jockey Hayato Yoshida let her down in the straight, she closed with tremendous purpose to get up for third in an eye-catching performance. Three of today's chief rivals also contested the race, the closest finishing nearly 2 lengths adrift.
From a far better gate this time Yoshida can place the filly a lot closer to the speed, and from there her class should shine through.
Moryana started at $5.40 in the Juvenile but faded out of contention upon straightening. She had won 2/2 prior to that and clearly has a lot more to offer. She should settle on the pace and will prove the hardest for Doe Eyes to catch.