Niigata Race 9 - Matsuhama Tokubetsu
BELL WOOD BIO (3) appeals most dropping back to 2000m after a Nakayama 4th over 2000m on yielding three weeks ago and a Tokyo 2000m win in May; draws barrier 3 and returns to 56kg. First-up ANOTHER FACE (1) maps well from barrier 1 with a perfect Niigata record (1/1) and was a Tokyo 1800m 4th two back; 56kg suits. PANKY (2) has solid recent 2000m figures, including Chukyo 3rd then 4th before a Hanshin 7th; Mirco Demuro takes over from barrier 2. PAGE TURNER (10) is second up and was a Kyoto 2000m 10th two weeks ago but is a prior 2000m winner and can progress.
Jockey: Kosei Miura
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
First-up and back to 1600m, he draws the inside after a Tokyo 1800m run on 20 Jun where he finished 9th of 16, 6.15L behind Taisei Princesse at $10 carrying 55kg. Prior to the break he won at Niigata 1800m on 16 May, rolling forward from barrier 1 to score over Trinitario at $3.3, and today’s barrier 1 with 56kg sets up a similar map.
Jockey: Mirco Demuro
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Draws barrier 2 and drops to 56kg after a consistent 2000m campaign that includes a 3rd at Chukyo on 1 Aug (16 runners) when ridden cold and closing to finish 2.75L off Cefalu at $17. He followed with a solid 4th at Chukyo on 29 Aug over 2000m, beaten 2.01L by Bixbite at $10, before a midfield 7th at Hanshin on 6 Sep, 2.35L from Titanomachia. With Mirco Demuro taking over and a handy gate, this setup looks suitable for another competitive showing at 2000m.
Jockey: Koo Nagahama
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Proven at 2000m with a Tokyo win two starts back (2000m, 57kg, SP 7.5) when finishing over the top to beat Ever Chanty. Last start he stuck on for 4th at Nakayama over 2000m on yielding ground, 10.25L off Danon Funstar, and now draws barrier 3 with 56kg after carrying 54kg there. The return to a kinder barrier and a distance he handles gives him a practical platform to improve.
Jockey: Takuma Ogino
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up after 21 days, he draws barrier 4 and rises to 56kg. His lone Nakayama 2000m run on yielding saw him finish 11th of 18 at $126, but he’s a prior 2000m winner at Niigata, edging Win Magnifique by a nose. Capable at the trip and better draw can help him settle closer.
Jockey: Heart Kameda
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns off a 55-day break with 56kg from barrier 5 and reunites with Heart Kameda. His prior Chukyo 1900m reads mixed, a close 4th beaten 1.3L at $3.25 before an 11th when drawn wide, but he has multiple 4ths at 1800–2000m including Tokyo when racing on speed. With a softer gate and slight weight drop, a competitive showing is within reach.
Jockey: Arata Saitou
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Freshened 63 days and returns at 56kg from barrier 6 after a solid 4th at Chukyo over 2000m (10 runners) on 15 Aug, beaten 4.5L at $8.5 when running on from the back behind Cervara. His prior 2200m Chukyo run was a narrow 2nd, just 0.5L off Teruhiko, which reads well for today’s trip. With a handy gate and a small weight lift, a similar midfield-and-build pattern can see him competitive.
Jockey: Teruo Eda
Weight: 54kgs
Stats
Comments
Found the line well two back at Sapporo over 2000m, running 2nd by 0.5L at $14 after racing handy behind Wilson. She then finished 9th of 16 at the same trip (Sapporo, 6 Sep) beaten 3.97L after settling around midfield, and now drops to 54kg from barrier 7 with Teruo Eda up. Genuine 2000m profile this prep suggests she can be competitive with a similar run.
Jockey: Kazuki Kikuzawa
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Closed off for 8th, beaten 2.1L at 31-1 over 2200m at Nakayama 25 days ago on yielding ground, suggesting he wasn’t far off despite settling back. He draws barrier 8 today and stays around a trip where his track/distance stats read (2:0-0-1), with a broader distance record of (6:0-0-2). With 56kg again and the in-form barrier range (7-10) profile of (7:2-0-2), he has claims to run a competitive race.
Jockey: Daichi Shibata
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
First-up after 105 days with a handy track record at Fukushima (1:1-0-0) and unbeaten at the track/distance (1:1-0-0). His best recent effort was 3rd at Nakayama over 2000m on 22 Mar, beaten 4.5L at $41 after settling back. With 56kg and barrier 9, he looks a measured hope if reproducing that Nakayama run.
Jockey: Daito Ozawa
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up off a 14-day turnaround after finishing 10th of 17 at Kyoto over 2000m (56kg, SP 41) when beaten 4.51L by Kikko Bello, settling midfield before weakening. His sole win came at Hanshin over 2000m, and he now draws barrier 10 with Daito Ozawa back aboard. With a run under the belt at the trip, he can improve.
Jockey: Makoto Sugihara
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
First up off 4 months, he drops to 56kg and cuts back 400m after leading at Tokyo over 2400m and fading to 6th, 2.36L behind Winter Breath at $41. From barrier 11 he may need luck early, but his latest effort showed pace and the lighter impost could help him stick on better.
Jockey: Ryuto Yokoyama
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Back from a 27‑day freshen, she draws barrier 12 after having to jump from 18 when 13th at Nakayama over 2000m on yielding ground, beaten 16.51L at $29. Prior run was much better, sticking on for 3rd at Chukyo over 2000m, 1.05L off Red Variato at $26. With Ryuto Yokoyama back aboard and 56kg again, a repeat of that Chukyo effort would see her competitive.
Jockey: Yuji Tannai
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up after 21 days, he was 9th of 18 over 2000m at Nakayama on yielding going, beaten 16.55L at $12 carrying 55kg from barrier 2. His previous Tokyo 2000m run resulted in 10th/15 beaten 6.66L at $51, though he does have a prior 1800m Fukushima win when finishing strongly to score from back in the field. Drawn barrier 13 and up to 56kg, he needs to lift on recent 2000m efforts.
Jockey: Miyabi Mutou
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Closed off for 4th of 18 at Nakayama over 2000m on 20 Sep, beaten 7L on yielding going at $71 after settling midfield under 58kg. His 2000m profile is solid without winning (10:1-0-0), and he’s drawn wider today after a barrier change from 5 to 14. Honest recent efforts suggest he can be competitive again with similar run placement.