Sprinters Stakes

Form Comments

Silent Witness	Peerless from 2003 to 2005 when undefeated in 17 starts taking in two CXHK Sprint titles, two Champion Sprint Series sweeps and this race last year – but nowhere near at the same level currently. Off the track for three months and best effort when 2^nd by 0.5L to Joyful Winner over 1400m in G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup in April. Recent barrier trials have not been as impressive as of old and a lack of fitness combined with declining form point towards disappointment. Acts on any going; races prominently.
Takeover Target	Currently the Global Sprint Challenge leader on 33 points (Les Arcs has 11 and She Is Tosho 10). Top class and game Australia sprinter, the winner of three G1 dashes at Flemington. Brought that form to Europe to take the 28-runner Kings Stand (G2-1000m) but below best in the Golden Jubilee and July Cup (both won by rival Les Arcs). Led 300m out in the Centaur Stakes (G2-1200m) in Japan but was quickly grabbed by 3Ls winner She Is Tosho. Usually races close up and best on firm tracks.
Benbaun	Has made just two Gr.1 sprint appearances from 28 starts, including a well-held 4Ls back in 6^th behind five HK rivals in the CXHK Sprint last year. Very consistent this year in five outings from Listed to Gr.2 level and possibly best when a short-head second to Takeover Target in the King's Stand Stakes (Gr.2-1000m). Capable at 1200m (4 starts) but appears much more effective at 1000m (21 starts). Handles any going and usually races prominently.
Les Arcs	A most unusual career pattern: one-time hurdler to mid-ranking handicapper and now arguably Europe's best sprinter. Shock 33/1 winner of the Golden Jubilee (G1-1200m) at Royal Ascot but proved this wasn't a fluke by annexing the July Cup (G1-1200m) on July 14, his most recent start (although high class Ifraaj, twice a Gr.2 winner since, was an unlucky 2^nd). Can go well fresh and likes to travel just behind the pace. More of a concern that no European horse has ever placed in a sprint in the Orient.
Blue Shotgun	7yo veteran of over 50 starts but clearly mining the richest seam of his career – standout victory in G3 Hankyu Hai (1400m on very soft ground) last February. Failed to follow through at G1 level over 1200m next finishing 11^th. Mixed form since, but fared quite well to be 4^th in Keeneland Cup latest. Comes from the back of the field and has a rough chance of a place.
Ceres Dynamic (Doubtful runner)	A 3yo with capable form but perhaps this test will come too soon. Definite sprinter with all three wins from ten starts 1200m but could only run 15^th in the G2 Centaur Stakes on September 10 so there's no reason to suppose he can fare much better on October 1. Handles any going and races from the rear.
Cheerful Smile	Very adaptable mare: G3 runner-up over 2000m and a winner over 1200m on August 27 in the G3 Keeneland Cup, her first start at this trip for two years. While she has never tackled sprinters of this grade, Cheerful Smile is at least in form. Usually races from far off the pace and best on top of the ground.
Copano Fujin (Doubtful runner)	Ran 3^rd in the G3 Garnet Stakes (1200m) on January 8 and second in the G3 Ocean Stakes (1200m) on March 4; unplaced in his last three starts. Returned from a four-month spell in late August to be well beaten in the G3 Keeneland Cup (1200m). Adaptable to any going, usually races close to the lead but has it all to do in this.
Golden Cast	Successful in last year’s G3 Centaur Stakes (1200m), a leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, but has failed to cut much ice in this event - ran 11^th of 16 in 2004 and 7^th of 16 last year. Recent second in the G3 Kitakyushu Kinen (1200m) on August 13 and 8^th in his last race, the G2 Centaur Stakes on September 10, suggest it will be a surprise if he is to play a major role here.
Homan Tequilla (Doubtful runner)	Unplaced in only three of his 13 career starts, Homan Tequilla has performed very consistently and is always a popular pick with the fans. He finished fourth in the G3 Ibis Summer Dash in July and third in the G3 Kitakyushu Kinen in August last time out. He usually races in a forward position.
Limitless Bid (Doubtful runner)	Useful 7yo sprinter-miler with one G3 success at this distance. Creditable fourth behind easy winner She Is Tosho last time in the Centaur Stakes (G2-1200m) and ran 7^th at G1 level at same trip back in March so he seems to have his limitations. Winless in last six starts and most recent success was a G3 on dirt in January. Likes to stalk the pace and best on fast ground.
Meisho Bowler	High class performer, Classic placed over 2000m but career highlight came with winning G1 February Stakes (1600m) on a sloppy dirt track last year. Has two G3 victories over 1200m but well down the field in sole G1 attempt at the trip in March 2005. Experienced a similar fate behind Bullish Luck in the Yasuda Kinen, a first turf start for over 15 months in June. Met with trouble in running in the Centaur Stakes (G2-1200m) last time and should not be discounted readily. Has forced the pace in the past and also been dropped in, handles any ground.
Nanyono Saga (Doubtful runner)	After a disappointing 11^th in the G3 Falcon Stakes in in March, Nanyono Saga showed great improvement in the Tachibana Stakes in April, then went on to win the Ajisai Stakes in June, both over 1,200m. He has not raced since then.
Orewa Matteruze	Top class sprinter-miler on his day and arrives fresh and first up since a disappointing 10^th in the G1 Yasuda Kinen in June. A first G1 title came in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) on March 26, followed by another victory May 13 in the G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup (1400m). Can be expected to lead or at least race prominently. Acts on any ground.
She Is Tosho	Talented, in-form mare and with a big chance in this having easily won the G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m – 5^th leg of Global Sprint Challenge) by 3Ls on September 10. Making her third stab at this race after finshing 12^th last year and 7^th in 2004. Finished 3^rd to Orewa Matteruze in Japan's only other G1 sprint over 1200m back in March and has also added a G3 dash since. Acts on any ground and races close-up.
Suteki Shinsukekun	Still just a 3yo and facing a stiff task against older, stronger sprinters. Has been well and truly found out against his peers in any case this year both in the G1 2000 Guineas (2000m – probably didn't stay) and G1 NHK Mile Cup. Not much more encouragement when dropped back to 1000m and only finishing 12^th in a G3 contest. Signs of a revival when making all to win a G3 back at mile latest on September 10. Often leads and only raced on firm tracks.
Symboli Escape	Attempts a first G1 event and has only recently taken his first steps out of handicap grades. Ran 5^th in the G3 CBC Sho (1200m) on June 11 and fourth in a G3 over 1400m on July 9 before taking the Listed NST Open (1400m) on August 20. Plenty to prove here. Best on fast ground and, never the quickest to break, he usually races from midfield or the rear.
Tagano Bastille	His two time wins over 1,200m this year, including the G3 Falcon Stakes on March 11. He was unplaced in his last three starts. Usually racing from the rear.
Tamamo Hot Play	Highlight success came in the G3 Silkroad Stakes (1200m) in February but was well beaten two starts later in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m). Reappeared after a spell in the G3 Kitakyushu Kinen to run 4^th. He usually races from the rear. Unplaced in four starts to date at this track and 6^th in this event last year and 8^th in 2004.
Venus Line	Confirmed sprinter but only recently advanced to Group races after over 20 runs at handicap level. Has achieved career highlights in last two outings, winning G3 Hakodate Sprint Stakes (1200m) on July 2 at big odds and running 3^rd in the G3 Keeneland Cup (1200m) behind rival Cheerful Smile on August 27, her last time out. Races from midfield or the rear and best on a fast surface.
Keeneland Swan	Twice a group winner over 1200m, a decent 5^th in this race last year behind Silent Witness. Didn't measure up in England in 2005, finishing 10Ls behind Cape Of Good Hope in the Golden Jubilee Stakes (G1) and also well beaten in the July Cup (G1). Has been out of form since his effort here 12 months ago and winless for past 16 starts. Best on fast ground and races from midfield or further forward.
Fuji Silence	Eight wins in lesser company from 47 starts and unplaced in his five outings since winning the G3 Tokyo Shimbun Hai (1600m) in January. Has not been tried over this distance since trailing a well beaten 11^th in a G2 in December last year and not likely to have the speed to match the principals in this. Races from the rear and adaptable on all surfaces.
Precious Café	The one-time G1 and G2 winner finished third in last year’s G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen seems to have been at his peak last season. He has not had much luck in recent starts, and has failed to place since March of last year. He finished 12^th in his last outing, the G2 Centaur Stakes.
Maruka Kiseki (Doubtful runner)	One of the top sprinters of 2005, he finished a fine fourth to winner Silent Witness in last year’s Sprinters Stakes, then followed that with a win in the Andoromeda Stakes. Since then, however, he has disappointed and failed to make the winner’s circle.
Monroe Blond (Doubtful runner)	This 4-year-old filly finished sixth in last year’s 2,000m G1 Shuka Sho, the final leg of the fillies’ triple crown. She has had two wins in two starts over 1,200m in recent races. Sired by Admire Vega, she usually races from close to the front or midfield. She is not confirmed to run yet in the Sprinters Stakes.