Himeji Race 11 - Race 11 - 1500
SMART SCEPTER (9) the winning run came to an end last start when second as favourite over 1400m at Sonoda. Big chance to bounce straight back. MILD PRIME (7) raced on the speed last start and battled on well but found one better over 1230m at Sonoda. Is going okay this campaign, recording two wins and three minor placings from seven starts. Expected to feature. HANABUSA (4) has been thereabouts, finishing fifth at Sonoda last time. Well placed here and is worth including on best form. DAIJOBANAI (3) was comfortably accounted for when sixth last time out over 1300m at Saga after a win at Sonoda at the previous outing. Worth plenty of thought here.

Jockey: Souta Hijikata
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Most recently 9th of 11 at Kasamatsu on January 22 over 1900m, 9 len behind Dagr Force with 57kg at $23.40. Before that 7th of 12 at Sonoda on January 3 over 1870m, 3.5 len behind Lucky Dream with 56kg at $93.90. Will need to improve many lengths to feature.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/11 | 22/01/2026 | 19 | COND 4U | $61,891.00 | Kasamatsu | 1900m | Fast | Soichi Kato | 57kg | 2:06.10 | 2-7-9 | 9 |
| 10.0L | $23.40 |
| 7/12 | 03/01/2026 | 37 | COND 4U | $257,880.00 | Sonoda | 1870m | Fast | Kazuma Okaki | 56kg | 2:03.80 | 5-6-7 | 3 |
| 3.6L | $93.90 |
| 7/12 | 27/11/2025 | 14 | COND 3U | $535,714.00 | Sonoda | 1870m | Good | Kazuma Okaki | 57kg | 2:02.60 | 8-9-7 | 6 |
| 14.3L | $338.50 |
| 3/12 | 13/11/2025 | 118 | A1A2 3U | $53,571.00 | Sonoda | 1700m | Good | Kazuma Okaki | 57kg | 1:54.00 | 6-6-3 | 5 |
| 1.3L | $26.10 |
| 5/12 | 18/07/2025 | 43 | A1 3U | $57,203.00 | Sonoda | 1870m | SP | Kazuma Okaki | 57kg | 2:05.10 | 6-4-5 | 1 |
| 4.0L | $18.60 |
| 5/12 | 05/06/2025 | 42 | COND 4U | $194,405.00 | Sonoda | 1870m | Good | Kazuma Okaki | 57kg | 2:02.10 | 4-3-5 | 2 |
| 9.8L | $223.60 |

Jockey: Wataru Hirose
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes here off a 34-day let-up. At the latest run 7th of 12 at Sonoda on January 14 over 1400m, 9 len behind Pace Setting with 57kg at $75.70. Before that 5th of 8 at Sonoda on December 16 over 1400m, 9 len behind Smart Amber with 57kg at $27.30. Fully tested.
Last Starts 33 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/12 | 14/01/2026 | 29 | A1A2 4U | $51,576.00 | Sonoda | 1400m | Fast | Shingo Oyama | 57kg | 1:29.00 | 10-10-7 | 12 |
| 9.6L | $75.70 |
| 5/8 | 16/12/2025 | 28 | A1 3U | $52,920.00 | Sonoda | 1400m | Fast | Shingo Oyama | 57kg | 1:29.90 | 4-4-5 | 5 |
| 9.3L | $27.30 |
| 2/10 | 18/11/2025 | 40 | A1A2 3U | $53,571.00 | Sonoda | 1400m | Fast | Wataru Hirose | 57kg | 1:30.80 | 8-7-2 | 9 |
| 1.0L | $34.60 |
| 8/9 | 09/10/2025 | 14 | A1 3U | $32,486.00 | Monbetsu | 1200m | Fast | Shinya Matsui | 57kg | 1:14.10 | 6-7-8 | 1 |
| 6.2L | $68.00 |
| 5/10 | 25/09/2025 | 29 | A1 3U | $33,927.00 | Monbetsu | 1200m | M | Shinya Matsui | 57kg | 1:12.90 | 3-5-5 | 4 |
| 4.5L | $19.20 |
| 8/9 | 27/08/2025 | 22 | A1 3U | $33,772.00 | Monbetsu | 1700m | Fast | Shinya Matsui | 57kg | 1:49.20 | 6-8-8 | 5 |
| 11.3L | $193.50 |

Jockey: Kenta Sugiura
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a 37-day let-up. At the latest run 6th of 11 at Saga on January 11 over 1300m, 10 len behind Misuzu Grand O with 56kg at $51.50. The start before that won by 1.0 len at Sonoda November 18 over 1400m defeating Dragon Goku carrying 57kg at $3.20. Beaten comfortably last time out but this suits.
Last Starts 36 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/11 | 11/01/2026 | 54 | COND 4U | $113,658.00 | Saga | 1300m | Fast | Shingo Oyama | 56kg | 1:20.70 | 8-7-6 | 7 |
| 10.3L | $51.50 |
| 1/10 | 18/11/2025 | 15 | A1A2 3U | $53,571.00 | Sonoda | 1400m | Fast | Shingo Oyama | 57kg | 1:30.80 | 1-1-1 | 10 |
| 1.0L | $3.20 |
| 7/10 | 03/11/2025 | 31 | A1A2 3U | $53,571.00 | Sonoda | 1230m | Good | Shingo Oyama | 57kg | 1:19.20 | 2-5-7 | 1 |
| 13.9L | $4.20 |
| 1/8 | 03/10/2025 | 64 | A1A2 3U | $56,197.00 | Sonoda | 1400m | Good | Shingo Oyama | 55kg | 1:30.90 | 1-1-1 | 7 |
| 2.5L | $6.80 |
| 3/12 | 31/07/2025 | 28 | A2B1 3U | $43,856.00 | Sonoda | 1230m | Fast | Shingo Oyama | 58kg | 1:19.50 | 1-1-3 | 2 |
| 1.5L | $3.20 |
| 6/11 | 03/07/2025 | 27 | A1A2 4U | $57,203.00 | Sonoda | 1400m | Fast | Shingo Oyama | 56kg | 1:28.90 | 2-2-6 | 6 |
| 6.8L | $17.60 |

Jockey: Shouichi Kawahara
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 34 day let-up. Most recently 5th of 12 at Sonoda on January 14 over 1400m, 6 len behind Pace Setting with 57kg at $22.90. The run before that 4th of 12 at Sonoda on December 30 over 1230m, 1.4 len behind Lux Meteor carrying 57kg at $9.80. Can atone for a modest effort last time.
Last Starts 33 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/12 | 14/01/2026 | 15 | A1A2 4U | $51,576.00 | Sonoda | 1400m | Fast | Wataru Hirose | 57kg | 1:29.00 | 8-7-5 | 2 |
| 5.8L | $22.90 |
| 4/12 | 30/12/2025 | 28 | A1A2 3U | $52,920.00 | Sonoda | 1230m | Good | Wataru Hirose | 57kg | 1:18.80 | 5-4-4 | 3 |
| 1.4L | $9.80 |
| 4/8 | 02/12/2025 | 29 | A1A2 3U | $52,920.00 | Sonoda | 1230m | Fast | F Komaki | 57kg | 1:19.20 | 5-4-4 | 6 |
| 5.3L | $7.70 |
| 2/10 | 03/11/2025 | 81 | A1A2 3U | $53,571.00 | Sonoda | 1230m | Good | Wataru Hirose | 57kg | 1:19.20 | 6-4-2 | 5 |
| 4.0L | $9.70 |
| 6/12 | 14/08/2025 | 20 | COND 3U | $65,265.00 | Sonoda | 1230m | Fast | Wataru Hirose | 57kg | 1:18.70 | 11-12-6 | 4 |
| 7.6L | $5.20 |
| 1/8 | 25/07/2025 | 35 | A1A2 3U | $57,203.00 | Sonoda | 1230m | Fast | Wataru Hirose | 57kg | 1:19.00 | 6-3-1 | 2 |
| 0.2L | $4.50 |

Jockey: Tomohiro Sasada
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming after a break of nine weeks. Finished off last campaign 14th of 16 at Nakayama Dirt in the LR December 14 over 1800m, 23 len behind Brian Sense with 54.0kg at $149.70. When resuming last campaign ran last of 16 at Tokyo Dirt in the LR October 4 over 1600m, 13 len behind Omega Guiness carrying 57.0kg at $47.60. Unlikely to feature.
Last Starts 64 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/16 | 14/12/2025 | 49 | LR OPEN 3U | $451,980.00 | Nakayama | 1800m | Good | H Kitamura | 54kg | 1:51.70 | 4-7-14 | 3 |
| 23.3L | $149.70 |
| 11/14 | 26/10/2025 | 22 | OPEN 3U | $420,930.00 | Kyoto | 1800m | M | Manabu Sakai | 55kg | 1:48.60 | 6-8-11 | 1 |
| 7.4L | $64.60 |
| 16/16 | 04/10/2025 | 126 | LR OPEN 3U | $479,650.00 | Tokyo | 1600m | Good | Akira Sugawara | 57kg | 1:35.50 | - | 16 |
| 13.6L | $47.60 |
| 13/16 | 31/05/2025 | 83 | OPEN 4U | $462,180.00 | Tokyo | 1600m | Soft | H Kitamura | 58kg | 1:34.10 | - | 15 |
| 12.4L | $7.80 |
| 8/16 | 09/03/2025 | 36 | OPEN 4U | $451,670.00 | Nakayama | 1800m | M | H Kitamura | 57kg | 1:51.50 | 5-2-8 | 12 |
| 5.4L | $44.10 |
| 1/16 | 01/02/2025 | 90 | ALLOW 4U | $364,820.00 | Tokyo | 1600m | Good | H Kitamura | 57kg | 1:36.70 | - | 8 |
| 0.8L | $8.10 |

Jockey: Takanori Nagai
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Last start 6th of 8 at this track on January 28 over 1800m, 4.5 len behind Ziggurat carrying 57kg at $31.40. The start before that 4th of 12 at Sonoda on January 14 over 1400m, 5.5 len behind Pace Setting with 57kg at $12. Likely to be attacking the line strongly.
Last Starts 19 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/8 | 28/01/2026 | 14 | A1A2 4U | $51,576.00 | Himeji | 1800m | Fast | Takanori Nagai | 57kg | 2:03.90 | 4-5-6 | 2 |
| 4.7L | $31.40 |
| 4/12 | 14/01/2026 | 11 | A1A2 4U | $51,576.00 | Sonoda | 1400m | Fast | Takanori Nagai | 57kg | 1:29.00 | 9-6-4 | 7 |
| 5.6L | $12.00 |
| 9/12 | 03/01/2026 | 18 | COND 4U | $257,880.00 | Sonoda | 1870m | Fast | Takanori Nagai | 56kg | 2:03.80 | 8-9-9 | 9 |
| 4.2L | $100.60 |
| 2/8 | 16/12/2025 | 28 | A1 3U | $52,920.00 | Sonoda | 1400m | Fast | Takanori Nagai | 57kg | 1:29.90 | 2-2-2 | 8 |
| 5.0L | $8.00 |
| 3/10 | 18/11/2025 | 13 | A1A2 3U | $53,571.00 | Sonoda | 1400m | Fast | Takanori Nagai | 57kg | 1:30.80 | 6-8-3 | 4 |
| 1.1L | $8.60 |
| 5/9 | 05/11/2025 | 14 | COND 3U | $35,714.00 | Sonoda | 1870m | Fast | Takanori Nagai | 57kg | 2:04.00 | 4-7-5 | 3 |
| 6.5L | $8.10 |

Jockey: Komaki Futoshi
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Form hard to fault. Comes off a 49 day let-up. Last start tried to lead throughout but was claimed late 2nd of 12 at Sonoda on December 30 over 1230m, head behind Lux Meteor with 57kg at $2.40. The start before that held ground to the line 2nd of 9 at Sonoda on December 10 over 1400m, 1.5 len behind Monge Gift with 57kg at $1.50. Solid run last time and is a strong winning hope again.
Last Starts 48 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/12 | 30/12/2025 | 20 | A1A2 3U | $52,920.00 | Sonoda | 1230m | Good | Shingo Oyama | 57kg | 1:18.80 | 1-1-2 | 9 |
| 0.2L | $2.40 |
| 2/9 | 10/12/2025 | 27 | A2 3U | $40,572.00 | Sonoda | 1400m | Fast | Shingo Oyama | 57kg | 1:29.90 | 2-1-2 | 1 |
| 1.5L | $1.50 |
| 5/12 | 13/11/2025 | 28 | A1A2 3U | $53,571.00 | Sonoda | 1700m | Good | Shingo Oyama | 56kg | 1:54.00 | 3-2-5 | 7 |
| 1.9L | $3.80 |
| 1/6 | 16/10/2025 | 20 | A2 3U | $41,256.00 | Sonoda | 1400m | Fast | Shingo Oyama | 57kg | 1:29.80 | 1-1-1 | 2 |
| 8.0L | $2.50 |
| 8/10 | 26/09/2025 | 14 | COND 3U | $131,127.00 | Sonoda | 1400m | Good | Shingo Oyama | 57kg | 1:27.90 | 1-2-8 | 3 |
| 14.8L | $36.40 |
| 3/7 | 12/09/2025 | 22 | A1A2 3U | $56,197.00 | Sonoda | 1230m | Good | Shingo Oyama | 55kg | 1:19.50 | 2-2-3 | 7 |
| 2.3L | $2.70 |

Jockey: Kanta Inoue
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up. Comes off a 37-day let-up. First-up after five months crossed from a wide gate to lead but couldn't hold on when 5th of 11 at Saga on January 11 over 1300m, 8 len behind Misuzu Grand O carrying 56kg at $55.50. Previously second-up won by 1.0 len at Kasamatsu April 17 over 1400m defeating Eight Wan with 57kg at $3. Needs to lift.
Last Starts 36 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/11 | 11/01/2026 | 163 | COND 4U | $113,658.00 | Saga | 1300m | Fast | Kanta Inoue | 56kg | 1:20.70 | 1-4-5 | 11 |
| 8.3L | $55.50 |
| 4/9 | 01/08/2025 | 42 | A1A2 3U | $55,941.00 | Sonoda | 1400m | Fast | Kanta Inoue | 57kg | 1:28.40 | 1-2-4 | 1 |
| 9.8L | $8.40 |
| 6/10 | 20/06/2025 | 36 | A1A2 4U | $58,322.00 | Sonoda | 1230m | Fast | Kanta Inoue | 57kg | 1:19.20 | 2-3-6 | 3 |
| 7.7L | $1.70 |
| 11/11 | 15/05/2025 | 28 | COND 4U | $531,264.00 | Kasamatsu | 1400m | Fast | Kanta Inoue | 57kg | 1:25.80 | 1-3-11 | 11 |
| 13.1L | $9.50 |
| 1/11 | 17/04/2025 | 21 | COND | $86,566.00 | Kasamatsu | 1400m | Fast | Kanta Inoue | 57kg | 1:27.70 | 1-1-1 | 9 |
| 1.0L | $3.00 |
| 1/12 | 27/03/2025 | 77 | A1A2 4U | $48,903.00 | Sonoda | 1400m | Fast | Kanta Inoue | 54kg | 1:29.40 | 1-1-1 | 2 |
| 1.3L | $4.30 |

Jockey: Osamu Shimohara
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 34 day let-up. Most recently tried to lead throughout but was claimed late 2nd of 12 at Sonoda on January 14 over 1400m, 0.5 len behind Pace Setting with 55kg at $1.60. The start before that favourite; won by 2.5 len at Sonoda December 2 over 1230m defeating Lux Meteor with 57kg at $1.10. Solid run last time and is a strong winning hope again.
Last Starts 33 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/12 | 14/01/2026 | 43 | A1A2 4U | $51,576.00 | Sonoda | 1400m | Fast | Manami Nagashima | 55kg | 1:29.00 | 1-1-2 | 8 |
| 0.5L | $1.60 |
| 1/8 | 02/12/2025 | 29 | A1A2 3U | $52,920.00 | Sonoda | 1230m | Fast | Shunya Hasebe | 57kg | 1:19.20 | 1-1-1 | 5 |
| 2.5L | $1.10 |
| 1/10 | 03/11/2025 | 17 | A1A2 3U | $53,571.00 | Sonoda | 1230m | Good | Shunya Hasebe | 57kg | 1:19.20 | 1-1-1 | 9 |
| 4.0L | $1.70 |
| 8/11 | 17/10/2025 | 35 | COND | $161,435.00 | Sonoda | 1230m | Fast | Osamu Shimohara | 57kg | 1:18.10 | 2-7-8 | 5 |
| 7.9L | $8.10 |
| 2/7 | 12/09/2025 | 85 | A1A2 3U | $56,197.00 | Sonoda | 1230m | Good | Osamu Shimohara | 57kg | 1:19.50 | 1-1-2 | 3 |
| 1.5L | $1.70 |
| 2/12 | 19/06/2025 | 34 | COND | $136,084.00 | Sonoda | 820m | Fast | Osamu Shimohara | 57kg | 0:49.00 | 2-2-2 | 10 |
| 1.5L | $1.30 |