The Fast Lane: Saturday Special
- Archie Brookes
- Sep 5
- 10 min read
Nakayama / Hanshin / Sapporo - 6th September
Fresh Talent Meets Seasoned Class
Saturday’s action in Japan centres on two feature Group 3 contests that set the tone for the autumn racing season. Up north at Sapporo, the G3 Sapporo Nisai Stakes (1800m, turf) showcases some of the country’s most exciting two-year-old prospects, many stepping up in distance for the first time as they chase early-season glory and a potential path towards next year’s Classics.
Down at Nakayama, the spotlight shifts to the G3 Keisei Hai Autumn Handicap (1600m, turf), where established milers clash in a fiercely competitive handicap that often throws up strong Autumn performers. With a deep field and minimal margins on the scale, tactics and timing will be everything.
Two races, two very different stories - one about unproven potential, the other about proven class - but both promise to shape the narrative as the autumn season builds momentum.
Group 3 Keisei Hai Autumn Handicap - 3yo+, Nakayama 1600m, Turf
Pace map - who the mile will suit
Saturday’s G3 Keisei Hai Autumn Handicap looks like an even-to-genuinely run mile, with Drop of Light and Tacit the most natural tempo-makers. Erika Express has shown handy tactical speed at this track and trip and can park just off the pace, while the first wave behind them should feature June Orange, Tagano Elpida, Contrapposto, and Shivers settling in stalking slots. Midfield types like Kalamatianos, Nishino Souvenir, Daishin Yamato, and Asahi will try to get a toe into it before the corner. Deeper closers such as Time to Heaven, Kita Wing, Ho O Las Cases, and Moon Probe are likely to wait and aim for late lanes if the leaders overcook it.
On Nakayama’s right-handed outer mile, the home straight is about 310 m with a steep rise in the last 200 m, which often rewards horses who travel smoothly near the speed or can sustain a long run. If Drop of Light and Tacit sneak breathers mid-race, handy types like Erika Express or Tagano Elpida could control the finish. But if pressure stacks early, the race tilts back toward powerful closers like Time to Heaven and low-weighted mares getting a slingshot late.
The recent honour roll backs up that profile. Ascoli Piceno (2024) and Soul Rush (2023) underline the class-miler angle and how a sharp turn of foot at the mile wins this race. Falconia (2022) and Catedral (2021) reinforce the value of efficient, stalk-and-pounce rides at Nakayama. Trois Etoiles set a blistering 1:30.3 in 2019 - proof the track can ride very fast when conditions allow. Add Mikki Glory (2018), Grand Silk (2017), Lord Quest (2016), and Fra Angelico (2015) and you get a clear theme: high-class milers with economical trips tend to prosper, while closers need tempo and clean lanes to land the knockout.
Runner-by-runner
Asahi | Ridden by Kazuki Kikuzawa | Trained by Takashi Kanari | 6H by Curren Black Hill x Like the Wind (Danehill)
Seasoned miler who’s danced a lot of dances; mixed 1400-1600m form, and better back to turf.
Maps midfield/back with a sit; wants an even clip to tip out late and grab a slice.
Ascoltiamo | Ridden by Akihide Tsumura | Trained by Toru Hayashi | 5M by Kitasan Black x Ascolti (Danehill Dancer)
Classy mare dropping from 1800m fillies’ G2/G3 company; half-sister to last year’s winner Ascoli Piceno.
Versatile - can roll forward or stalk; ideally parks just behind the pace and uses toughness up the rise.
Erika Express | Ridden by Keita Tosaki | Trained by Haruki Sugiyama | 3F by Epiphaneia x Enticed (Galileo)
Fairy Stakes (G3) winner; bold 1000 Guineas run and led the Oaks for a long way - now gets handicap relief.
Natural pace - happy on or just off the lead; if she relaxes midrace, she sets the benchmark for the 3yos.
Kalamatianos | Ridden by Yukito Ishikawa | Trained by Takeshi Okumura | 3C by Rey de Oro x Dancar (Heart’s Cry)
Kyodo News Hai (G3) runner-up; Satsuki Sho/Derby experience reads well - back to a mile suits his turn of foot.
Profiles midfield with cover; live if they run honest fractions and he sees daylight at the 200.
Kita Wing | Ridden by Kyosuke Maruta | Trained by Shigeyuki Kojima | 5M by Danon Ballade x Kitano Ritsumei (I’ll Have Another)
Fairy Stakes (G3) heroine returning to her best course/trip under a featherweight.
Likely ridden cold; wants a stretch-long tow into it and gaps late. Value if tempo is genuine.
Contrapposto | Ridden by Hironobu Tanabe | Trained by Takanori Kikuzawa | 5H by Rulership x Acanthus (Fuji Kiseki)
Proven miler - 2nd in this spring’s Lord Derby Challenge Trophy (G3) at Nakayama; honest at 1600-1800m.
Maps handy 3-5 pairs back; thrives if leaders don’t crawl. Rock-solid each-way profile.
Shivers | Ridden by Hiroyuki Uchida | Trained by Yasuo Tomomichi | 4H by Maurice x Vivlos (Deep Impact)
Blue-blooded and progressive; brought a solid level of form and a close 5th in the Sekiya Kinen (G3).
Early speed to land first four; major if he settles, minor if he over-races.
June Orange | Ridden by Akira Tomita | Trained by Kodai Hasegawa | 5M by Just a Way x Admire Sabrina (Symboli Kris S)
Arrives off a strong 3rd in the Chukyo Kinen (G3).
Should slot midfield with cover; powerful last 200m brings her right into the finish.
Time to Heaven | Ridden by Yoshitomi Shibata | Trained by Hirofumi Toda | 7H by Lord Kanaloa x Kiss to Heaven (Admire Vega)
High-grade miler who was 2nd in this race last year; knows every blade at Nakayama.
Gets ridden cold; needs pace on and a late slingshot - danger if they overcook it.
Tagano Elpida | Ridden by Taisei Danno | Trained by Takashi Saito | 4M by Kizuna x Tagano Reventon (King Kamehameha)
3-win Ikaruga Stakes winner and tidy runs in G2/G3 company this term; upward curve.
Handy/stalking map from a positive spot; kicks hard if she sees a smooth run turning in.
Tacit | Ridden by Akira Sugawara | Trained by Tadashige Nakagawa | 6H by Black Tide x Satono Lamia (Brian’s Time)
Two Nakayama-mile wins including the Wakashio Stakes; measured against G3 company this spring.
One of the pace setters; chance spikes if he controls the midrace without pressure.
Daishin Yamato | Ridden by Yasumasa Iwata | Trained by Hirofumi Toda | 5H by Yamakatsu Ace x Daishin Party (Brian’s Time)
Back-to-back Nakayama mile wins in March/April then credible G3 efforts; still on the up.
Can land 4-6th one off; competitive if he relaxes and lifts to 34-mid late splits.
Drop of Light | Ridden by Fuma Matsuwaka | Trained by Yoshito Fukunaga | 6M by Tosen Ra x Precious Drop (French Deputy)
Recent G3 CBC Sho (1200m) 3rd stepping to 1600m - intriguing stretch-out on a fair weight.
Early speed to be handy; stamina the question over the last 100m. Market watch.
Nishino Souvenir | Ridden by Takuya Ono | Trained by Hiroyuki Uehara | 6H by Harbinger x Ripple (Agnes Tachyon)
G3 Epsom Cup runner-up last summer; good 6th in Sekiya Kinen (G3) latest - solid at this level.
Best with a trail; can pounce from midfield if the inside opens.
Ho O Las Cases | Ridden by Takuya Kowata | Trained by Noboru Takagi | 7M by Deep Impact x Beacon Tarn (Shamardal)
Won the Centennial Park (3-win) in April and keeps holding form around a mile to nine furlongs.
Likely midfield/back with cover; light weight helps her thread for late minor money.
Moon Probe | Ridden by Ryuto Yokoyama | Trained by Takatoshi Miyaji | 5M by Maurice x Smiling Moon (Fuji Kiseki)
Speedy mare with mostly 1200-1400m form; gets in very light trying the Nakayama mile test for the first time.
Maps quietly; needs a strong collapse up front to run on into the frame.
Verdict
Erika Express
A high-class 3yo still on the up, she ran very well in the G1 Oka Sho before being caught late on and was probably stretched too far in the Oaks after trying to burn them off from the front. After a break, dropping back to 1600m and facing G3 company will suit her well.
Course and distance form will stand her in good stead as she comes back to the scene of her Fairy Stakes triumph, where she ran the fastest time in the race's history: 1:32.8.
Trainer Sugiyama has said, "I think she's coming together. She's gained a little weight and is well-behaved."
Kalamatianos Boasts a similar profile to Erika Express in the fact that he showed some smart form before tackling the Classics. He was beaten a length in the G3 Kyodo News Hai by subsequent Satsuki Sho 3rd and Tokyo Yushun 2nd Masquerade Ball before two poor runs in the Guineas and Derby.
It remains to be seen what his best trip is but he obviously still has plenty of upside and can run into the frame.
Contrapposto
Now a 5yo, he is still relatively progressive, having posted solid results this year in four runs. His standout piece of form is his 2nd in what looked like a strong running of the G3 Lord Derby Challenge Trophy. He ran odds-on favourite Trovatore to within a neck and 3rd-placed Keep Calm subsequently won the G3 Shirasagi Stakes, 8th-placed Go To First ran a close 5th in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois in France and Logi Leon came 3rd in the G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup. Another runner with good course and distance form so it would be no surprise if he struck Group 3 gold.
Group 3 Sapporo Nisai Stakes - 2yo, Sapporo 1800m, Turf
Pace Map
Saturday’s race shapes up as a genuinely run 1800m with several on-speed types drawn to push the issue. Justin Chicago led all the way on debut, Gene King has twice gone wire-to-wire over this trip, and Hishi Amoureuse showed sharp early pace before taking control mid-race. That trio should contest the rail and force a solid tempo into Sapporo’s short first turn.
Sitting just behind them will be handy runners like Shonan Gulf, Smart Priere, Sunset Gold, and Million Crown - all poised for stalking runs. Los Paredones, Aurum Ares, and Poppet shape as true midfielders who’ll try to wind up from the 600m. Obra Prima will be ridden cold and needs a meltdown to feature. Toa Sagittarius is the wildcard - mid-division last start on turf but quick from the gates on dirt, giving him tactical flexibility.
With only ~266-269m of homestretch at Sapporo, position is crucial. Deep closers need the front-runners to overcook it; otherwise, this sets up for the stalkers.
Runner-by-runner
Aurum Ares | Ridden by Yuji Hishida | Trained by Shinsuke Hashiguchi | 2C by Harbinger x Stars in Heaven (Workforce)
Debut winner at Hakodate over 1800m, travelled 3-4 back and quickened well through the line.
Maps stalking midfield just off the speed; economical, professional type who can punch a lane at the 300m.
Obra Prima | Ridden by Shu Ishibashi | Trained by Yuki Uehara | 2F by Van Gogh x Manarola (Heart’s Cry)
Won a 2000m Fukushima debut from off the pace; stamina signal is strong for 1800m.
Likely ridden colder than most here; wants an honest clip to unleash late.
Sunset Gold | Ridden by Katsuma Sameshima | Trained by Yoshito Yahagi | 2C by Kizuna x Pastiera (King Kamehameha)
Soft-ground Sapporo 1800m debut winner, tracked and moved like a pro.
Should land first wave behind leaders; live chance if the surface has cut or they don’t crawl.
Shonan Gulf | Ridden by Kenichi Ikezoe | Trained by Naosuke Sugai | 2C by Harbinger x Mi Carino (Heart’s Cry)
Very impressive at Hakodate over 1800m and kicked clear by seven lengths; strong platform speed-wise.
Maps handy 1-3 pairs off; hard to get past if he settles.
Gene King | Ridden by Arata Saito | Trained by Makoto Saito | 2C by Contrail x Secondary Market (Into Mischief)
Busy profile with 3 runs at 1800m; made all at Niigata in 1:48.2 and keeps improving.
Projects as a pace influence; if he controls early, he’s a big factor turning in.
Justin Chicago | Ridden by Takeshi Yokoyama | Trained by Keisuke Miyata | 2C by Suave Richard x Erika Bright (King Kamehameha)
Led throughout on Sapporo 1800m debut; did it the tough way and kept finding.
Natural leader or outside speed; chance spikes if he’s left alone midrace.
Smart Priere | Ridden by Yutaka Take | Trained by Ryuji Okubo | 2F by Epiphaneia x Smart Layer (Deep Impact)
Highly likeable filly out of high-class Smart Layer; stylish Hakodate maiden win at 1800m by 4 lengths.
Tactical enough to sit 3-5 back with cover; has a turn and the pedigree to sustain.
Toa Sagittarius | Ridden by Yoshihiro Furukawa | Trained by Kuniaki Sasaki (NAR) | 2C by Dream Valentino x Toa Athena (Taiki Shuttle)
Versatile colt who brought dirt speed from the NAR circuit to turf for a strong 2nd in the Open Class Clover Sho.
Wild card for map - can ping and take a spot or sit mid; dangerous if pace is steady.
Hishi Amoureuse | Ridden by Daisuke Sasaki | Trained by Noriyuki Hori | 2C by Saturnalia x So Many Ways (Sightseeing)
Expensive Select Sale colt who took over early and scored on Sapporo 1800m debut; plenty of upside.
Handy-to-leader profile; if he relaxes, he’s right in the finish.
Poppet | Ridden by Taiki Hashiki | Trained by Yasuyuki Takahashi | 2F by Satono Crown x Petit Chouchou (Epiphaneia)
Won a sharp 1500m debut here with a fast last 3F; lightweight frame but neat action.
Likely midfield with cover; needs a true pace to bring late gears up to 1800m.
Million Crown | Ridden by Yuji Tannai | Trained by Junji Tanaka (NAR) | 2C by Reach the Crown x Sun Helena (Pyro)
Improving NAR colt who was a strong 2nd in the OP Cosmos Sho over this course and trip.
Stalking map 2-4 back; can box on for a slice if they don’t sprint too sharply.
Los Paredones | Ridden by Christophe Lemaire | Trained by Tetsuya Kimura | 2C by Drefong x Aromatico (King Kamehameha)
Fukushima 1800m debut winner; brother to G1 Satsuki Sho winner Geoglyph and shaped like a strong stayer.
Midfield one-off, then build from the 600; major if the leaders overdo it.
Verdict
Shonan Gulf He truly lived up to his hefty price tag with a seven-length romp on debut at Hakodate. It didn't look the strongest of races but you couldn't not be impressed by the way he handled business, stalking the leader before kicking away for an effortless victory.
Kenichi Ikezoe gets back on board and I think the Sugai stable will have big goals for this colt.
Smart Priere
This Epiphaneia filly took two tries to get off the mark and looked an exciting prospect after her Hakodate win last time out under Yutaka Take. That performance was backed up by the stats as she ran to a time figure of 77 with a L3F time of 34.9s.
Her style looks similar to that of Shonan Gulf and I'd expect her to be there at the finish. Los Paredones
A full-brother to the recently-retired Geoglyph, his debut win seemed effortless, still looking green whilst pricking his ears when he hit the front. The time wasn't anything to shout about but with his connections and pedigree, he must have plenty in the locker for the future. It's very early days, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him line up in the Guineas next year like his brother.
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