Kyoto Race 8 - Momiji Stakes
ANMUT (3) Back from a break. Ran 2nd last start at Niigata. Expect to go close. LIEVE (4) First up from a break of 13 weeks and made some ground late when 2nd beaten by 1 1/4L first up last preparation at Kokura. Promising career start. Underrated. CURREN HAU (6) First up today. Was competitive when 3rd last run at Niigata and putting a tidy record together. Could give a show. LONDON GUARDS (7) First up and led throughout when winning by 3L first up last preparation at Hanshin. Jockey Kohei Matsuyama and trainer Kyoko Maekawa are a combination worth following. Can be competitive.
Jockey: Katsuma Sameshima
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Won with authority at Hanshin last start, taking out a 1200m Mdn by five lengths after looming up and putting Katsu Daruma away quickly. That was a sharp rise on her Chukyo debut, where she worked home evenly into sixth behind Ramla Bay. The 1400m remains the one query after one unplaced try around it, but she is fitter third-up, drawn to make full use of her speed and sets the standard off that latest win.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/13 | 21/09/2026 | 51 | MDN 2 | $100,200.00 | Hanshin | 1200m | Good | Mirai Iwata | 55kg | 1:08.60 | 3-2-1 | 6 |
| 5.0L | $6.20 |
| 6/13 | 01/08/2026 | - | NEWCOMER 2 | $132,110.00 | Chukyo | 1400m | Good | Ryusei Sakai | 55kg | 1:20.00 | 1-1-6 | 4 |
| 5.6L | $9.40 |
Jockey: Osuke Tayama
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Resumes after four months on the sidelines with an unbeaten record to protect. Won his Hanshin NEWCOMER by just over a length from Black Muse after being only an outside chance in the betting, and the way he extended late gave the result substance. With just one run under him he still has to confirm that level fresh, but the original winning rider is back and his debut figure keeps him in the place mix.
Last Starts 118 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/9 | 20/06/2026 | - | NEWCOMER 2 | $130,300.00 | Hanshin | 1400m | Good | Osuke Tayama | 53kg | 1:22.40 | 2-2-1 | 9 |
| 1.3L | $17.90 |
Jockey: Atsuya Nishimura
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Resumes after three months, having finished second at Niigata behind Lukewarm when beaten two and a half lengths after sitting close enough to win. That was no disgrace, but she was near the top of betting and did have every chance. Her earlier Fukushima NEWCOMER win by five lengths as an odds-on favourite gives her a strong base, and a two-start record of one win and one placing makes her a solid top-three hope.
Last Starts 69 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/9 | 08/08/2026 | 42 | OPEN 2 | $290,150.00 | Niigata | 1400m | Good | Ryusei Sakai | 55kg | 1:20.40 | 2-2-2 | 7 |
| 2.5L | $2.80 |
| 1/11 | 27/06/2026 | - | NEWCOMER 2 | $130,300.00 | Fukushima | 1200m | Good | Ryusei Sakai | 55kg | 1:09.30 | 1-1-1 | 3 |
| 5.0L | $1.90 |
Jockey: Kanta Taguchi
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Resumes after three months following a plain sixth at Kokura, beaten three and a half lengths after settling rearward when near the top of betting. He had won a 1200m Mdn at the same venue the start prior, beating Suitoyo by a length as a short odds-on favourite, so there is some ability there. The fresh start and untried 1400m leave him with a bit to prove against sharper recent form.
Last Starts 90 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/18 | 18/07/2026 | 13 | OPEN 2 | $242,750.00 | Kokura | 1200m | Good | Manami Nagashima | 55kg | 1:10.40 | 8-7-6 | 3 |
| 3.7L | $3.50 |
| 1/16 | 05/07/2026 | 8 | MDN 2 | $100,890.00 | Kokura | 1200m | Y | Manami Nagashima | 53kg | 1:10.80 | 2-2-1 | 10 |
| 1.0L | $1.80 |
| 2/10 | 27/06/2026 | - | NEWCOMER 2 | $130,300.00 | Kokura | 1200m | Good | Manami Nagashima | 53kg | 1:10.10 | 5-5-2 | 2 |
| 1.3L | $3.80 |
Jockey: Keisuke Dazai
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Made the perfect start at Hanshin, winning a 1400m NEWCOMER by half a length from Spice Of Life despite being unwanted in the market. The margin was narrow, but doing it at the trip first time out gives him a useful platform and the market miss suggests there may be more in the locker. Comes here second-up with the distance box already ticked, and he looks the main threat to the top pick.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10 | 27/09/2026 | - | NEWCOMER 2 | $132,170.00 | Hanshin | 1400m | Good | Kazuo Yokoyama | 55kg | 1:23.10 | 6-6-1 | 4 |
| 0.5L | $107.40 |
Jockey: Fuma Matsuwaka
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Resumes after three months with a consistent record, having placed at all three starts. Was third at Niigata last time, beaten three lengths by Lukewarm after being near the top of betting, but the note that he only battled on keeps the enthusiasm in check. His Kokura Mdn win two back was sound and he has placed at this distance, so he can run well without looking a clear winning play.
Last Starts 69 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/9 | 08/08/2026 | 28 | OPEN 2 | $290,150.00 | Niigata | 1400m | Good | Keita Tosaki | 55kg | 1:20.40 | 3-3-3 | 2 |
| 3.0L | $3.40 |
| 1/12 | 11/07/2026 | 28 | MDN 2 | $100,890.00 | Kokura | 1200m | Good | Kohei Matsuyama | 55kg | 1:08.60 | 2-2-1 | 10 |
| 1.0L | $1.80 |
| 3/11 | 13/06/2026 | - | NEWCOMER 2 | $130,300.00 | Hanshin | 1200m | Good | Riki Takasugi | 55kg | 1:08.20 | 5-5-3 | 5 |
| 3.3L | $22.20 |
Jockey: Kohei Matsuyama
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Resumes after three months following a disappointing G3 Hakodate Nisai Stakes run, finishing second last behind Felicita and beaten over 10 lengths after being near the top of betting. His Hanshin debut win was strong, beating Mea Gloria by three lengths as a well-supported favourite, and the winning jockey returns. Even so, the 1400m is untried and he has to rebound sharply from that stakes failure.
Last Starts 89 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/13 | 19/07/2026 | 36 | G3 OPEN 2 | $587,390.00 | Hakodate | 1200m | Y | Yuichi Kitamura | 55kg | 1:10.40 | 4-4-12 | 13 |
| 10.2L | $4.00 |
| 1/11 | 13/06/2026 | - | NEWCOMER 2 | $130,300.00 | Hanshin | 1200m | Good | Kohei Matsuyama | 55kg | 1:08.20 | 1-1-1 | 6 |
| 3.0L | $2.60 |