The Fast Lane: Sprinters Stakes Delivers World-Class Speed at Nakayama

Nakayama - 28th September

Joao Moreira punches the air aboard Satono Reve after the pair come out victorious in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen - picture from netkeiba.com

World-Class Speed Test: Autumn G1 Sprint Championship at Nakayama

Sunday’s JRA action is headlined by the Sprinters Stakes (1200m, G1) at Nakayama - the Autumn sprint championship and the first Group 1 of the fall season. This year’s renewal brings together the best of Japan’s homegrown speed with international flair, as Hong Kong star Lucky Sweynesse crosses swords with domestic standouts Satono Reve, Mama Cocha, Namura Clair, and defending champion Lugal.

Nakayama’s unique 1200m turf course - downhill early before the stiff climb to the line - demands both raw pace and the ability to sustain it late. That balance between front-end brilliance and strong-closing class defines the puzzle: can pure speedsters like Puro Magic and Win Carnelian last out the rise, or will proven stalkers and closers such as Satono Reve, Kangchenjunga, and Namura Clair swoop to claim the crown?

It’s a race rich in international history, from Silent Witness and Takeover Target to Ultra Fantasy, and 2025 again promises a defining moment for the global sprinting scene.

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Pace Map

Win Carnelian and Puro Magic look the most natural leaders and should press on early; the first wave stalking them features Satono Reve, Lugal, Mama Cocha, June Blair, and Ka Pilina. A larger midfield pack - including Pair Pollux, Yamanin al Rihla, Namura Clair, Toshin Macau, Lucky Sweynesse, Kangchenjunga, Yoshino Easter, Danon McKinley, and Drop of Light - will try to slot one-off and bide time.

Course shape matters: Nakayama’s turf 1200m starts on a gentle downhill with roughly ~275 m to the first corner, then two right turns before a short home straight of ~310 m that rises about 2.4 m in the last 200 m. Inside draws and handy speed often help, but if the leaders duel early the uphill sting can reward stalkers and strong closers.

Runner-by-runner

1 - Puro Magic | Ridden by Keita Matsuyama | Trained by Shogo Yasuda | 4M by Asia Express x Medjerda (Deep Impact)

Pure speed and a likely co-leader from the inside. If she gets a breather mid-race, she can make them chase; won G3 Ibis Summer Dash in her last start.

Maps forward/lead - projects to take them along early.

2 - Yoshino Easter | Ridden by Hiroyuki Uchida | Trained by Hidemasa Nakao | 7H by Rulership x Earth Pray (Zenno Rob Roy)

Seasoned sprinter; Listed winner this season and a reliable late-kicker.

Maps midfield - can grind into the frame if the tempo is fair.

3 - Danon McKinley | Ridden by Norihiro Yokoyama | Trained by Hideaki Fujiwara | 4H by Maurice x Homecoming Queen (Holy Roman Emperor)

Talented 4yo with upside but not yet proven at the very top.

Midfield - a place chance if the race collapses late.

4 - Mama Cocha | Ridden by Mirai Iwata | Trained by Yasutoshi Ikee | 6M by Kurofune x Buchiko (King Kamehameha)

2023 Sprinters Stakes heroine; also landed the G3 Ocean Stakes this spring.

Maps on-pace/stalking - tactically versatile and thrives at Nakayama.

5 - Kangchenjunga | Ridden by Ryusei Sakai | Trained by Yasushi Shono | 5H by Big Arthur x Questa Volta (Novellist)

Explosive closer; G2 Centaur Stakes winner who clocked the best late sectionals.

Settles midfield/back - needs a strong pace and a clear run.

6 - Namura Clair | Ridden by Christophe Lemaire | Trained by Katsuichi Hasegawa | 6M by Mikki Isle x Sun Queen (Storm Cat)

Ultra-consistent G1 performer; multiple G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen seconds and placed in this race the past two years.

Maps midfield - always strong late if tempo is genuine.

7 - Satono Reve | Ridden by Joao Moreira | Trained by Noriyuki Hori | 6H by Lord Kanaloa x Ciliege (Sakura Bakushin O)

Japan’s leading sprinter in 2025; Takamatsunomiya winner and 2nd in G1 Jubilee at Royal Ascot in June.

Handy/stalking - gets the perfect run and is the one they have to beat.

8 - Pair Pollux | Ridden by Fuma Matsuwaka | Trained by Tomoyuki Umeda | 4H by Kinshasa no Kiseki x Miracle Ask (Deep Impact)

Progressive, but faces proven G1 rivals for just the second time.

Midfield - needs a big new peak.

9 - Drop of Light | Ridden by Yukito Tannai | Trained by Yuichi Fukunaga | 6M by Tosen Ra x Precious Drop (French Deputy)

Consistent mare; competitive at Group level but faces a stiff test here.

Midfield/back - needs an inside trip to sneak into the placings.

10 - Lucky Sweynesse | Ridden by Ka Chun Leung | Trained by K.L. Man (HK) | 7G by Sweynesse x Madonna Mia (Red Clubs)

Hong Kong champion sprinter; multiple G1 wins, now tries Nakayama for the first time.

Maps midfield - class act, danger if he handles the rise.

11 - Toshin Macau | Ridden by Takeshi Yokoyama | Trained by Mizuki Takayanagi | 6H by Big Arthur x Yukino Mermaid (Special Week)

Top-class sprinter; runner-up in this race last year and record-setting G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup winner.

Handy/midfield one-off - always a danger with tactical speed.

12 - Yamanin al Rihla | Ridden by Taisei Danno | Trained by Takashi Saito | 4H by Isla Bonita x Yamaninpapillonner (Swept Overboad)

Honest sort but untested against the very best.

Midfield/back - best hope is to run on for a place.

13 - June Blair | Ridden by Yutaka Take | Trained by Hidenori Take | 4M by American Pharoah x Lap of Luxury (Galileo)

Improving filly who continues to progress with racing.

On-pace/stalking - can be dangerous if she takes another step forward.

14 - Ka Pilina | Ridden by Keita Tosaki | Trained by Toshiaki Tajima | 4M by Dunkirk x Lightly Tune (Manhattan Cafe)

Speedy filly with tactical options; lightly raced and still improving.

On-pace - chance if she relaxes and gets cover.

15 - Lugal | Ridden by Yuga Kawada | Trained by Haruki Sugiyama | 5H by Duramente x Atab (New Approach)

Defending champion; hasn’t matched that level since but relishes Nakayama.

On-pace - if he bounces back, he’s a live repeat chance.

16 - Win Carnelian | Ridden by Kosei Miura | Trained by Yuichi Shikato | 8H by Screen Hero x Cosmo Crystal (Meiner Love)

Natural leader with blistering early pace; wide draw forces him forward.

Leader - sets the table, either pinches it or sets it up for the closers.

Verdict

Satono Reve can avenge his Ascot defeat - picture by Jean-Charles Briens

Satono Reve This Noriyuki Hori-trained sprinter has really made his mark in the sprinting ranks recently. We saw his class at Royal Ascot, just edged out by Lazzat, who produced a monster run that day. He finished only seventh in this race last year, but that came after missing the break. Since then he’s taken a big step forward - running third to the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, before landing the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen in March. He met Ka Ying Rising again in the G1 Chariman's Sprint and finished runner-up.

The Lord Kanaloa colt has been thriving back in Japan, working as well as he did before his Takamatsunomiya win in the spring, however, this is no easy assignment, with several proven Group 1 performers in opposition. Lucky Sweynesse ships in from Hong Kong - perhaps not at his absolute peak these days, but still dangerous if he brings his best. Last year’s Sprinters Stakes heroine Mama Cocha returns for a third crack, and she’s been holding her form well all season. Lugal, last year’s winner, hasn’t quite matched that level since but has been mixing it with the same Hong Kong form lines as Satono Reve. Toshin Macau looked electric in the G2 Spring Cup, though he could only manage third in the Centaur Stakes behind Kangchenjunga and Mama Cocha. Namura Clair remains one of the top sprinters in Japan despite lacking a Group 1 victory.

At Nakayama, the key is hitting top stride early on the downhill run. If he does that, he’ll be perfectly placed turning for home. On current form he’s one of the best sprinters on the planet - and he has every chance of winning this before heading back to Hong Kong.

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