Niigata Race 4 - Allowance Race
SATONO ESCAPE (4) brings consistent 1200m form, beaten 0.5L and 0.3L at Niigata last start and stays third-up from a better barrier. VERGINE (1) draws gate 1 and is third-up; her Chukyo 1200m run two back was 2nd and she stuck on for 4th last start at the trip. First-up KOSOKU LE LIEN (11) resumes after winning the Fukushima 1150m in July and was a Tokyo 1300m runner-up prior, so his sprint profile suits. EIYU SAKURA (15) is second-up and maps on speed after a Hanshin 1200m 3rd beaten 0.4L from a wide draw.
Jockey: Kyosuke Kokubun
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up and drawn the rail, she brings a solid 1200m record (4:1-1-0) and has been holding form at Chukyo. Last start she boxed on for 4th of 16 over 1200m at Chukyo on 23 Aug (SP $3.5) carrying 54kg, 2.3L behind Curlicue, after a runner-up there on 1 Aug at $11. Back to 55kg but with an inside barrier and an established rider-trainer combo, she profiles as a genuine contender.
Jockey: Yuga Okubo
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up and drops to 55kg with a significant cutback to 1200m, he also draws a handy barrier 2. His last two runs at Chukyo 1800m and Niigata 1200m were well back (11th by 10.31L at $301; 13th by 13.51L at $251), but the lighter weight and inside draw offer a more economical run. Needs to show improvement but today’s setup gives him a chance to settle closer and lift.
Jockey: Miku Kobayashi
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Fourth-up and back to 55kg, he draws barrier 3 after a tough Nakayama run over 1200m on 13 Sep when 15th of 16, 11.42L behind Curacion on a muddy track at $7. Prior Niigata efforts at 1200m were sound, finishing 5th (3.01L) on 1 Aug and 4th on 23 Aug at $4 when racing handy. A softer draw and his earlier 1200m figures suggest he can improve.
Jockey: Arata Saitou
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Consistent at the trip with a (8:1-3-0) 1200m record and runner-up finishes at Niigata over 1200m on 9 Aug (0.5L, 56kg, SP 9) and 30 Aug (0.3L, 56kg, SP 3.4). Third-up today with 57kg, draws barrier 4 where he owns a positive record, and returns after 48 days with Arata Saitou taking over; solid claims to figure again.
Jockey: Teruo Eda
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
First up after 4 months, the horse resumes with 58kg and draws barrier 5, a gate range where he owns a handy (10:2-0-2) record. His latest prep included a solid 4th at Kyoto over 1200m on 16 May (SP 41) beaten 2.35L after settling midfield, and he also ran 5th at Kokura 1000m beaten 2.35L. With a slight barrier improvement and a prior first‑up win on his card, he has a competitive platform to run well.
Jockey: Kazuki Kikuzawa
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
First-up with 57kg and a small barrier lift to 6, he returns off 104 days having won his lone Nakayama 1200m start, leading throughout at $8 on 5 Jan (GOOD) with a 0.5L margin over Satono Escape. Subsequent runs at 1200m–1150m produced midfield finishes, but his distance record (3:1-0-0) and favourable gate offer a platform to improve fresh.
Jockey: Nana Kawaharada
Weight: 51kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up and back to 51kg, she returns to a trip where her record reads (4:1-0-2), including a Kyoto 1200m win in January when rolling forward to score over Kurokami Jo at $4. Last two Chukyo runs were well beaten over 1400m and 1200m, but the weight drop from 54kg and a neutral barrier 7 offer scope to improve at this distance.
Jockey: Ryuto Yokoyama
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns first up after 17 months but boasts a perfect record at the track and track/distance, having won a Niigata 1200m on 4 May 2025 by 1.75L at $3.4 when ridden by Ryuto Yokoyama. His 1200m record is strong (2:1-0-1), and he again teams with the same jockey and trainer from those efforts. With 58kg and a 2kg rise, he brings proven sprint form to this setup.
Jockey: Ryoya Kozaki
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
First up after 2 months, he reunites with Ryoya Kozaki who guided him to a 2nd at Niigata over 1200m on 9 May (SP 16) when leading and holding on to finish 5L behind Piko Tender. His 1200m record (9:1-1-0) and matching track/distance figures suggest this is a suitable set-up, though he rises to 58kg and draws barrier 9. A measured chance if he can reproduce that Niigata effort fresh.
Jockey: Shoma Sato
Weight: 53kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up with 53kg and a 6-barrier improvement, she returns to the Niigata 1000m after a 55-day freshen. Her latest run here saw him finish 14th of 17 over 1000m on GOOD at $41, but prior she was 7th/15 over the same trip on SOFT at $14. The barrier-profile is a positive and she can improve at this weight.
Jockey: Miyabi Mutou
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
First-up after 3 months, he returns with strong sprint form last prep, including a Fukushima 1150m win on 5 Jul (57kg, SP 2.7) beating Spinning Globe and earlier Tokyo/Nakayama placings. The jockey-trainer combo has been reliable (8:1-3-1), and he sticks at 57kg from barrier 11, similar to his winning setup. Genuine claims if he reproduces that recent closing standard.
Jockey: Yuji Tannai
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Fourth-up and back to 1200m, he brings solid recent Nakayama form, including a 2nd over 1200m on 5 Sep (MUDDY) at 58kg when $101, then a 3rd on 22 Sep (GOOD) from a wide gate, settling 8th to 3rd behind J L Carrier. He’s 1/4 at the Nakayama 1200m and draws barrier 12 again, with 58kg retained. Genuine chance to hold his form around this track and trip.
Jockey: Koo Nagahama
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up after a 6th at Sapporo over 1000m (3.26L, 53kg, SP 101), where he improved mid-race before holding his spot behind Lord Vigorous. His 1000m profile is honest (3:0-0-2), and he’s drawn out again in barrier 13 but does get back to 55kg. With a 200m rise in trip and a wide gate, he’ll need a clean run to figure late.
Jockey: Heart Kameda
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns 600m in trip and rises 2kg to 57kg after finishing 10th of 12 over 1800m at Hanshin 34 days ago (SP 12), where he settled midfield and faded 17.65L behind Sunrise Oscar. Earlier form at 1800m included back‑to‑back 2nds at Chukyo, one with Heart Kameda aboard (SP 7.5, beaten 0.3L), and a soft‑track win at Kanazawa over 1500m. Drawn wide in barrier 14, he’ll need a tidy ride, but his prior 1500–1800m efforts suggest he can be competitive with the distance drop.
Jockey: Toshiki Akiyama
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up after a Hanshin 1200m run 28 days ago when 3rd of 16, beaten 0.4L at $2.8 after leading early from barrier 14. She’s 2:1-0-1 at this trip and has proven effective drawn wide, winning from barrier 15 here in June under Toshiki Akiyama. With 55kg and barrier 15 again, her established speed makes her a solid hope.