By Alan Carasso
Sunday's G1 Arima Kinen at Nakayama–Japan's Grand Prix–may be missing likely Horse of the Year and Filly Triple Crown winner Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), but the field of 16 that will load the gate includes one of the race's previous winners, a Tokyo Yushun hero, a Japan Cup scorer and a legendary 7-year-old entire who will try to carry his championship form over jumps onto the flat against the cream of the Japanese Thoroughbred crop.
Rey de Oro (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) took out last year's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) and was runner-up to Cheval Grand (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the G1 Japan Cup en route to championship 3-year-old honours. If he was slightly disappointing when fourth to Hawkbill (Kitten's Joy) in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in March, he has been anything but since, with victories in the G2 All Comers' S. (2200m) over this course Sept. 23 and a powerful tally in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) (2000m) at Tokyo Oct. 28 (see below). Connections elected to pass a return trip to the Japan Cup in favour of having a fresh horse for the Arima.
Kiseki (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) was not beaten far when third in the Tenno Sho and most recently set a searching pace in the Nov. 24 Japan Cup before succumbing to the late rally of Almond Eye and settling for second. Last year's G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) victor will have to break alertly from gate 14, but if he has something left following his Japan Cup exertions, he will take plenty of catching.
Satono Diamond (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), victorious in this event two years ago, is one of three in the race for his sire, who concluded his glorious career with a soft win in the 2006 Arima Kinen. Now five, the bay entire with the diamond-shaped snip on his forehead was snapping a six-race skid when winning the Oct. 8 G2 Kyoto Daishoten (2400m), but was no better than sixth last tine in the Japan Cup. Satono Diamond, who was third to Makahiki (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the 2016 Tokyo Yushun, will be the first Arima Kinen ride for Australian Brenton Avdulla.
Oju Chosan (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) has gained cult-hero status largely by his exploits over jumps. A three-time defending champion of the Nakayama Grand Jump–including a double-digit, track record-setting success this past April–he has won his last two races on the flat, including a 2400m prep at Tokyo Nov. 3.
Mozu Katchan (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) is one of two females in the field and gets the services of Mirco Demuro. The dark bay was third to subsequent Tenno Sho runner-up Sungrazer (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G2 Sapporo Kinen (2000m) in August and was most recently third to Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in defence of her title in the G1 QE II Cup (2200m). The latter franked the form with a strong second in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase Dec. 9.
Blast Onepiece (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) is the lone 3-year-old in this year's field and is not without a chance. A dual Group 3 winner this season, he was a close fifth in the Tokyo Yushun in May and exits a fourth in the Kikuka Sho, a race that may have stretched his stamina. The cutback in trip will suit and he is in receipt of two kilos from his older male rivals.
WATCH: Rey de Oro wins the Tenno Sho (Autumn), Kiseki third
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