Sunday's G1 Tenno Sho Autumn at Tokyo Racecourse has drawn a mouthwatering clash of Japan's top-rated middle-distance horses that have successfully flown their flag overseas. Maurice (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}), Japan's 2015 Horse of the Year, won Sha Tin's G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile last December and returned to that country to take the G1 Champions Mile May 1. He was second to Logotype (Jpn) (Lohengrin {Jpn}) in the G1 Yasuda Kinen June 5, and returns here from a break after finishing second in the G2 Sapporo Kinen Aug. 21. The biggest question mark for Maurice will be the stretch out to 2000 metres, as he has excelled over a mile.
A Shin Hikari (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was rated as the world's best racehorse after his scintillating win in the G1 Prix d'Ispahan in France in May, but he managed only sixth in the G1 Prince of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot and makes his first start back here. Trainer Masanori Sakaguchi said, “After his exertions in Europe, he had a break at the farm, but came back quite early to Ritto Training Center at the end of August. He's a speed horse and running at his natural pace is what he needs. He's been flying in his work and seems to have more muscle now as a 5-year-old.”
The dual Classic-placed Real Steel (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) notched his first Group 1 win in Meydan's Dubai Turf in March, but beat just one home when 11th in the Yasuda Kinen over this course June 5, and makes his first start since. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi said, “He came back from the farm and his breathing was not good. But in October, there were still days of 30 degrees, and he sweated and still showed some signs of tiredness. Since then, however, he's progressed well. While the field is strong, there is no problem with the condition he's now in.”
Rouge Buck (Jpn) (Manhattan Cafe {Jpn}), the lone filly in the lineup, enters this off wins in the G3 Epsom Cup June 12 and the Tenno Sho's key local prep, the G2 Mainichi Okan Oct. 9.
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