Hanshin Race 9 - Armeria Sho
T O AL AIN (4) is a progressive galloper who is first-up since finishing ninth over 2000m in the G1 Hopeful Stakes at Nakayama ten weeks ago. Has won when fresh from a spell in the past. Should park just off the speed. The one to beat. KAFUJI EMMENTAL (3) wasn't far off maiden success before a break of 11 weeks, finishing the campaign with a minor placing over 2000m at this track. Opened last prep with a minor placing at this track over 1800m. Hard to beat if back in good order as anticipated. DANON CEFIRO (6) ran below expectations when fresh from a spell at Tokyo over 2400m last time, finishing seventh and beaten 7 lengths after being in the firing line on the turn. Well placed and there is no reason he cannot find winning ways. CURREN TULSI (1) turned in another moderate effort last start when 5.5 lengths from the winner in eighth over 1600m at Kyoto at the second run back from a spell. Well placed to make amends.

Jockey: Takashi Fujikake
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today. First-up did the work up front then tired second last of 7 at Kyoto on January 4 over 2000m, 4 len behind Juryoku Pierrot with 57.0kg at $6.50. Second run from a spell 8th of 11 at Kyoto on February 14 over 1600m, 5.5 len behind Namura Cosmos with 57.0kg at $7. Better than that recent moderate performance suggests.
Last Starts 21 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/11 | 14/02/2026 | 41 | ALLOW 3 | $205,040.00 | Kyoto | 1600m | Good | Kohei Matsuyama | 57kg | 1:34.50 | - | 4 |
| 5.6L | $7.00 |
| 6/7 | 04/01/2026 | 70 | ALLOW 3 | $149,190.00 | Kyoto | 2000m | Good | Kohei Matsuyama | 57kg | 2:00.90 | 1-1-6 | 5 |
| 4.1L | $6.50 |
| 4/8 | 26/10/2025 | 22 | LR OPEN 2 | $325,260.00 | Kyoto | 1800m | Good | Kohei Matsuyama | 56kg | 1:47.10 | - | 8 |
| 2.5L | $10.10 |
| 1/17 | 04/10/2025 | - | NEWC 2 | $148,300.00 | Tokyo | 1800m | Good | Kohei Matsuyama | 56kg | 1:48.30 | - | 3 |
| 1.3L | $4.10 |

Jockey: Katsuma Sameshima
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Second run back. Comes off a 42-day let-up. First-up after two months 9th of 12 at Nakayama on January 25 over 1800m, 10 len behind Blaenavon with 57.0kg at $12.20. Previously second-up made some head-way from midfield; 3rd of 10 at Sapporo on September 7 over 2000m, 1.5 len behind Akkan carrying 55.0kg at $1.90. Needs more time.
Last Starts 41 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/12 | 25/01/2026 | 70 | ALLOW 3 | $211,270.00 | Nakayama | 1800m | Good | Yoshihiro Furukawa | 57kg | 1:46.50 | 12-9-9 | 11 |
| 10.1L | $12.20 |
| 8/8 | 16/11/2025 | 49 | ALLOW 2 | $211,900.00 | Kyoto | 2000m | Good | Katsuma Sameshima | 56kg | 2:01.30 | 8-8-8 | 8 |
| 15.8L | $13.00 |
| 1/10 | 28/09/2025 | 21 | MDN 2 | $110,310.00 | Hanshin | 1800m | Good | Katsuma Sameshima | 55kg | 1:46.60 | - | 6 |
| 0.8L | $2.50 |
| 3/10 | 07/09/2025 | 57 | MDN 2 | $110,310.00 | Sapporo | 2000m | Good | Arata Saito | 55kg | 2:06.60 | 6-7-3 | 5 |
| 1.5L | $1.90 |
| 2/7 | 12/07/2025 | - | NEWC 2 | $150,950.00 | Hakodate | 1800m | Good | Katsuma Sameshima | 55kg | 1:48.10 | 6-2-2 | 7 |
| 3.0L | $10.00 |

Jockey: Yutaka Take
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Resumes after a break of 11 weeks and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last preparation third of 16 at this track December 20 over 2000m, 2.75 len behind Basse Terre with 56.0kg at $3.30. Previously first up; second of 9 at this track December 6 over 1800m, a nose behind Bullet Pass carrying 56.0kg at $4.30. Placed 2/2 when fresh. Expect a forward showing.
Last Starts 77 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/16 | 20/12/2025 | 14 | MDN 2 | $103,880.00 | Hanshin | 2000m | Good | Ryusei Sakai | 56kg | 2:00.70 | 2-2-3 | 15 |
| 2.8L | $3.30 |
| 2/9 | 06/12/2025 | 76 | MDN 2 | $103,880.00 | Hanshin | 1800m | Good | Ryusei Sakai | 56kg | 1:48.40 | - | 4 |
| 0.1L | $4.30 |
| 4/9 | 21/09/2025 | - | NEWC 2 | $148,300.00 | Hanshin | 1800m | Good | Ryusei Sakai | 55kg | 1:56.80 | 2-2-4 | 5 |
| 7.4L | $5.00 |

Jockey: Kohei Matsuyama
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of ten weeks. Finished off last campaign ninth of 16 at Nakayama in the G1 Hopeful Stakes December 27 over 2000m, 5 len behind Lovcen with 56.0kg at $87.80. Previous preparation first-up won by 2.5 len this track December 14 over 1800m defeating Bright Airy with 56.0kg at $1.50. Has won fresh and won only try course and distance. Expecting a bright start to the campaign.
Last Starts 70 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/16 | 27/12/2025 | 13 | G1 OPEN 2 | $1,329,480.00 | Nakayama | 2000m | Good | Takeshi Yokoyama | 56kg | 2:01.00 | 1-1-9 | 7 |
| 5.2L | $87.80 |
| 1/11 | 14/12/2025 | 64 | MDN 2 | $103,880.00 | Hanshin | 1800m | Good | Kohei Matsuyama | 56kg | 1:46.40 | - | 6 |
| 2.5L | $1.50 |
| 2/6 | 11/10/2025 | 27 | MDN 2 | $105,630.00 | Kyoto | 1800m | Good | Kohei Matsuyama | 56kg | 1:48.00 | - | 5 |
| 1.8L | $4.20 |
| 4/10 | 14/09/2025 | 22 | MDN 2 | $110,310.00 | Hanshin | 1400m | Good | Tatsuya Watanabe | 55kg | 1:20.70 | - | 8 |
| 5.5L | $15.00 |
| 4/10 | 23/08/2025 | - | NEWC 2 | $147,620.00 | Chukyo | 1400m | Good | Yuga Kawada | 55kg | 1:22.30 | - | 6 |
| 2.7L | $6.70 |

Jockey: Atsuya Nishimura
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up today. Last run 9th of 12 at Tokyo on February 22 over 1600m, 12 len behind Go Lucky with 57.0kg at $65.40. At only start last preparation 13th of 16 at Chukyo Dirt on December 21 over 1400m, 12 len behind Katarite with 56.0kg at $21.20. Fitter but must improve sharply.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/12 | 22/02/2026 | 63 | ALLOW 3 | $144,790.00 | Tokyo | 1600m | Good | Kiwamu Ogino | 57kg | 1:33.20 | - | 12 |
| 12.8L | $65.40 |
| 13/16 | 21/12/2025 | 64 | ALLOW 2 | $211,680.00 | Chukyo | 1400m | Good | Heart Kameda | 56kg | 1:24.50 | - | 16 |
| 12.9L | $21.20 |
| 4/7 | 18/10/2025 | 21 | ALLOW 2 | $212,660.00 | Kyoto | 1400m | Good | Atsuya Nishimura | 56kg | 1:24.70 | - | 4 |
| 7.0L | $3.40 |
| 5/8 | 27/09/2025 | 41 | ALLOW 2 | $222,190.00 | Hanshin | 1400m | Good | Ryusei Sakai | 55kg | 1:25.50 | - | 3 |
| 2.2L | $2.20 |
| 1/16 | 17/08/2025 | - | NEWC 2 | $147,620.00 | Chukyo | 1400m | Good | Ryusei Sakai | 55kg | 1:26.10 | - | 9 |
| 0.5L | $3.80 |

Jockey: Mirai Iwata
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Having second run back today. Last start sat behind the speed prior to fading to run last of 7 at Tokyo on February 10 over 2400m, 7 len behind Sky Splendor with 57.0kg at $6.20. At only start last preparation won by 1.0 len at Tokyo October 18 over 1800m defeating La Guairita carrying 56.0kg at $1.60. Fitter again and back in trip. One of the top chances.
Last Starts 25 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/7 | 10/02/2026 | 115 | ALLOW 3 | $203,650.00 | Tokyo | 2400m | Good | Mirai Iwata | 57kg | 2:28.10 | 4-3-7 | 7 |
| 7.1L | $6.20 |
| 1/8 | 18/10/2025 | 83 | MDN 2 | $105,630.00 | Tokyo | 1800m | Good | Yuga Kawada | 56kg | 1:47.50 | - | 5 |
| 1.0L | $1.60 |
| 2/6 | 27/07/2025 | - | NEWC 2 | $150,950.00 | Chukyo | 2000m | Good | Yuga Kawada | 55kg | 2:01.50 | 5-5-2 | 6 |
| 3.0L | $2.60 |