Niigata Race 6 - Maiden Race
PLAY THE LEAD (5) has put together back-to-back placings, the latest when 4 lengths away in third over 2000m at Nakayama. Very little by way of opposition here so a maiden win looks on the cards. DIA AZUL (6) returned last time with a solid third at Nakayama over 2200m. Lightly raced and looks ready to go a couple better. GOLD AVENUE (1) faced the starter for the first time and finished sixth last start at Fukushima over 1800m, beaten 2.25 lengths. Top-three chance with that run under her belt. CHANT DU RAFALE (2) drifted back second up last start and boxed on well to finish 1.5 lengths from the winner in fifth over 2200m at Hanshin. Ready to hit top form.

Jockey: Akatsuki Tomita
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Jumped at very long odds at debut, 6th of 16 at Fukushima on April 11 over 1800m, 2.25 len behind Saffron Rouge carrying 55.0kg at $88. Expected to do far better this time. Follow up.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/16 | 11/04/2026 | - | MDN F 3 | $102,930.00 | Fukushima | 1800m | Good | Akatsuki Tomita | 55kg | 1:47.60 | 12-12-6 | 4 |
| 2.3L | $88.00 |

Jockey: Heart Kameda
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today. Resuming 13th of 18 at Kokura on February 28 over 1200m, 9 len behind Double Challenge carrying 57.0kg at $21.60. Second run from a spell 5th of 13 at Hanshin on April 19 over 2200m, 1.5 len behind Danon Seahawk carrying 57.0kg at $68.50. Ready to find peak form.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/13 | 19/04/2026 | 50 | MDN 3 | $102,930.00 | Hanshin | 2200m | Good | Yamato Tsunoda | 57kg | 2:13.00 | 12-12-5 | 10 |
| 1.6L | $68.50 |
| 13/18 | 28/02/2026 | 167 | MDN 3 | $104,560.00 | Kokura | 1200m | Good | Heart Kameda | 57kg | 1:09.90 | - | 3 |
| 9.3L | $21.60 |
| 10/12 | 14/09/2025 | - | NEWC 2 | $148,300.00 | Hanshin | 1800m | Good | Joao Moreira | 55kg | 1:55.20 | 9-12-10 | 1 |
| 21.3L | $7.80 |

Jockey: Fukamichi Ishigami
Weight: 54kgs
Stats
Comments
At the latest run sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 16 at Fukushima on April 11 over 2000m, 4.5 len behind Meisho Hunter with 54.0kg at $11.30. Before that 4th of 18 at Nakayama on March 15 over 2000m, 5.5 len behind Danon Funstar with 57.0kg at $19.80. Has the ability to be in the finish.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/16 | 11/04/2026 | 27 | MDN 3 | $102,930.00 | Fukushima | 2000m | Good | Fukamichi Ishigami | 54kg | 2:00.00 | 2-2-5 | 6 |
| 4.5L | $11.30 |
| 4/18 | 15/03/2026 | 29 | MDN 3 | $101,660.00 | Nakayama | 2000m | Good | Taisei Danno | 57kg | 2:00.30 | 1-1-4 | 15 |
| 5.5L | $19.80 |
| 4/17 | 14/02/2026 | 40 | MDN 3 | $104,560.00 | Kyoto | 1800m | Good | Taisei Danno | 57kg | 1:46.70 | 1-2-4 | 1 |
| 4.8L | $68.70 |
| 16/18 | 05/01/2026 | 99 | MDN 3 | $107,740.00 | Nakayama | 2000m | Good | Yuji Tannai | 57kg | 2:01.10 | 8-17-16 | 16 |
| 9.8L | $104.10 |
| 9/16 | 28/09/2025 | 21 | MDN 2 | $110,310.00 | Nakayama | 2000m | Good | Keita Tosaki | 55kg | 2:00.70 | 3-4-9 | 3 |
| 12.7L | $5.90 |
| 3/10 | 07/09/2025 | 29 | MDN 2 | $110,310.00 | Nakayama | 2000m | Good | Keita Tosaki | 55kg | 2:04.80 | 1-1-3 | 7 |
| 1.1L | $5.40 |

Jockey: Hiroki Matsumoto
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Second run back. First-up after two months 5th of 15 at Fukushima on April 18 over 2600m, 5 len behind Balder carrying 57.0kg at $7.80. Previously second-up 5th of 9 at Kyoto Dirt on February 7 over 1900m, 9 len behind Saimon Zest with 57.0kg at $6.10. Plenty of upside.
Last Starts 14 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/15 | 18/04/2026 | 70 | MDN 3 | $102,930.00 | Fukushima | 2600m | Good | Hiroki Matsumoto | 57kg | 2:42.70 | 7-3-5 | 1 |
| 4.9L | $7.80 |
| 5/9 | 07/02/2026 | 14 | MDN 3 | $104,560.00 | Kyoto | 1900m | Good | Atsuya Nishimura | 57kg | 2:02.00 | 7-3-5 | 6 |
| 9.3L | $6.10 |
| 3/16 | 24/01/2026 | - | NEWC 3 | $117,770.00 | Kyoto | 1800m | Good | Atsuya Nishimura | 57kg | 1:57.10 | 16-9-3 | 4 |
| 2.8L | $30.00 |

Jockey: Yuji Tannai
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Form hard to fault. Returns from a 41-day let-up. Last start 3rd of 18 at Nakayama on March 22 over 2000m, 4 len behind Sigiriya Rock with 57.0kg at $4.30. The run before that raced on speed throughout when 3rd of 14 at Tokyo on February 21 over 2400m, 1.5 len behind Golden Pagoda carrying 57.0kg at $5.20. Leading chance again.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/18 | 22/03/2026 | 29 | MDN 3 | $101,660.00 | Nakayama | 2000m | Good | Kosei Miura | 57kg | 1:59.50 | 7-4-3 | 6 |
| 4.1L | $4.30 |
| 3/14 | 21/02/2026 | 47 | MDN 3 | $104,560.00 | Tokyo | 2400m | Good | Hironobu Tanabe | 57kg | 2:26.80 | 3-2-3 | 14 |
| 1.5L | $5.20 |
| 6/18 | 05/01/2026 | 58 | MDN 3 | $107,740.00 | Nakayama | 2000m | Good | Takeshi Yokoyama | 57kg | 2:01.10 | 9-6-6 | 4 |
| 5.2L | $4.00 |
| 2/12 | 08/11/2025 | 55 | MDN 2 | $105,160.00 | Tokyo | 2000m | Good | Christophe Lemaire | 56kg | 2:01.20 | - | 12 |
| 3.0L | $3.60 |
| 3/7 | 14/09/2025 | - | NEWC 2 | $148,300.00 | Hanshin | 2000m | Good | Joao Moreira | 55kg | 2:04.50 | 3-3-3 | 1 |
| 3.6L | $3.10 |

Jockey: Genki Maruyama
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Third race start. First start 6th of 16 at Nakayama on December 20 over 1800m, 6 len behind Luxe Patrol with 55.0kg at $46.30. Went for a break before returning 3rd of 18 at Nakayama on April 12 over 2200m, neck behind Tirano carrying 55.0kg at $18.80. Leading chance with plenty of upside.
Last Starts 20 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/18 | 12/04/2026 | 113 | MDN 3 | $102,930.00 | Nakayama | 2200m | Good | Takuya Ono | 55kg | 2:14.10 | 4-6-3 | 15 |
| 0.3L | $18.80 |
| 6/16 | 20/12/2025 | - | NEWC F 2 | $139,650.00 | Nakayama | 1800m | Good | Shu Ishibashi | 55kg | 1:49.90 | 11-10-6 | 8 |
| 6.8L | $46.30 |

Jockey: Kazuki Kikuzawa
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 34 day let-up. Most recently 5th of 13 at Nakayama on March 29 over 2200m, 6 len behind King Glory with 57.0kg at $42.70. Before that 7th of 18 at Nakayama on March 7 over 2200m, 6 len behind Willow Creek carrying 57.0kg at $41.20. Better than that recent lacklustre performance suggests.
Last Starts 34 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/13 | 29/03/2026 | 22 | MDN 3 | $101,660.00 | Nakayama | 2200m | Good | Kazuki Kikuzawa | 57kg | 2:12.60 | 7-6-5 | 8 |
| 6.1L | $42.70 |
| 7/18 | 07/03/2026 | 25 | MDN 3 | $101,660.00 | Nakayama | 2200m | Good | Yukito Ishikawa | 57kg | 2:15.60 | 9-10-7 | 9 |
| 6.2L | $41.20 |
| 5/18 | 10/02/2026 | 58 | MDN 3 | $104,560.00 | Tokyo | 2400m | Good | Yukito Ishikawa | 57kg | 2:26.50 | 6-7-5 | 1 |
| 4.8L | $72.70 |
| 6/13 | 14/12/2025 | 29 | MDN 2 | $103,880.00 | Chukyo | 2000m | Good | Kazuki Kikuzawa | 56kg | 2:02.00 | 5-5-6 | 7 |
| 4.8L | $17.60 |
| 8/16 | 15/11/2025 | - | NEWC 2 | $141,370.00 | Fukushima | 2000m | Good | Kazuki Kikuzawa | 56kg | 2:02.90 | 13-13-8 | 2 |
| 4.0L | $16.90 |

Jockey: Ryoya Kozaki
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming. Finished off last campaign seventh of 10 at Kyoto Dirt February 15 over 1800m, 10 len behind Gaura Disco with 57.0kg at $27.90. First up last campaign third of 11 at Hanshin Dirt December 14 over 1800m, 5.5 len behind Sunrise Kevin with 56.0kg at $41.80. Happy to work around.
Last Starts 76 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/10 | 15/02/2026 | 14 | MDN 3 | $104,560.00 | Kyoto | 1800m | Good | Yoshihiro Furukawa | 57kg | 1:54.80 | 7-7-7 | 2 |
| 10.9L | $27.90 |
| 7/10 | 01/02/2026 | 49 | MDN 3 | $104,560.00 | Kyoto | 1900m | Good | Seinosuke Yoshimura | 57kg | 2:01.30 | 6-6-7 | 2 |
| 13.5L | $6.60 |
| 3/11 | 14/12/2025 | 78 | MDN 2 | $103,880.00 | Hanshin | 1800m | Good | Akihide Tsumura | 56kg | 1:53.60 | 10-6-3 | 4 |
| 5.5L | $41.80 |
| 8/11 | 27/09/2025 | - | NEWC 2 | $148,300.00 | Hanshin | 2000m | Good | Akatsuki Tomita | 55kg | 2:01.50 | 2-3-8 | 8 |
| 11.3L | $29.60 |

Jockey: Naota Uezato
Weight: 54kgs
Stats
Comments
At the latest run 5th of 15 at Fukushima on April 11 over 2600m, 6 len behind Ask Fire More carrying 55.0kg at $110.80. The start before that 15th of 18 at Nakayama on February 28 over 2000m, 6 len behind Sept Etoiles with 57.0kg at $280.70. Needs to find extra to beat these.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/15 | 11/04/2026 | 42 | MDN 3 | $102,930.00 | Fukushima | 2600m | Good | Ko Nagahama | 55kg | 2:40.30 | 14-9-5 | 15 |
| 5.8L | $110.80 |
| 15/18 | 28/02/2026 | 55 | MDN 3 | $104,560.00 | Nakayama | 2000m | Good | T Eda | 57kg | 2:01.70 | 18-17-15 | 1 |
| 6.2L | $280.70 |
| 15/17 | 04/01/2026 | - | NEWC 3 | $117,770.00 | Nakayama | 2000m | Good | Ko Nagahama | 55kg | 2:04.00 | 15-16-15 | 6 |
| 15.4L | $84.20 |

Jockey: Fuma Izumiya
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Was at big odds at debut, 7th of 15 at Hanshin on April 5 over 2400m, 14 len behind Come On Man with 57.0kg at $31.50. Sure to kick on with that run under the belt.
Last Starts 27 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/15 | 05/04/2026 | - | MDN 3 | $102,930.00 | Hanshin | 2400m | Good | Katsuma Sameshima | 57kg | 2:26.40 | 14-12-7 | 10 |
| 14.0L | $31.50 |

Jockey: Hayato Yoshida
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Third race start. First start 10th of 16 at Nakayama on December 21 over 1600m, 17 len behind Rodeo Drive carrying 56.0kg at $61.20. Returned from break 7th of 15 at Nakayama Dirt on March 22 over 1800m, 18 len behind Eagle Rock carrying 57.0kg at $71.80. Unlikely to threaten.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/15 | 22/03/2026 | 91 | MDN 3 | $101,660.00 | Nakayama | 1800m | Good | Takuya Kowata | 57kg | 1:55.40 | 4-9-7 | 15 |
| 18.3L | $71.80 |
| 10/16 | 21/12/2025 | - | NEWC 2 | $139,650.00 | Nakayama | 1600m | Y | Yuji Tannai | 56kg | 1:35.10 | - | 9 |
| 17.8L | $61.20 |

Jockey: Hatsuya Kowata
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming after a break of 11 weeks. Finished off last campaign ninth of 13 at Tokyo Dirt February 15 over 2100m, 15 len behind Excel Crown with 57.0kg at $105.10. When resuming last campaign seventh of 17 at Nakayama January 11 over 2200m, 4.5 len behind Gran Alto with 57.0kg at $113.50. Hard to have.
Last Starts 76 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/13 | 15/02/2026 | 14 | MDN 3 | $104,560.00 | Tokyo | 2100m | Good | Hatsuya Kowata | 57kg | 2:14.60 | 4-7-9 | 3 |
| 15.4L | $105.10 |
| 6/13 | 01/02/2026 | 21 | MDN 3 | $104,560.00 | Tokyo | 2100m | Good | Hatsuya Kowata | 57kg | 2:14.70 | 8-9-6 | 10 |
| 13.6L | $22.60 |
| 7/17 | 11/01/2026 | 84 | MDN 3 | $107,740.00 | Nakayama | 2200m | Good | Hatsuya Kowata | 57kg | 2:13.80 | 7-9-7 | 9 |
| 4.5L | $113.50 |
| 8/12 | 19/10/2025 | 28 | MDN 2 | $105,630.00 | Niigata | 2000m | Good | Hiroto Mayuzumi | 56kg | 2:01.60 | 11-12-8 | 12 |
| 8.0L | $69.80 |
| 8/10 | 21/09/2025 | - | NEWC 2 | $148,300.00 | Nakayama | 2000m | Good | Takuya Kowata | 55kg | 2:03.20 | 9-10-8 | 10 |
| 10.4L | $166.30 |

Jockey: Naho Furukawa
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Resumes from a spell after only one run when ran last of 16 at Fukushima on November 24 over 1800m, 21 len behind Function carrying 56.0kg at $116.90. Not good enough for these.
Last Starts 159 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16/16 | 24/11/2025 | - | NEWC 2 | $141,370.00 | Fukushima | 1800m | Good | Daito Ozawa | 56kg | 1:50.60 | 9-15-16 | 7 |
| 21.3L | $116.90 |

Jockey: Haruki Wada
Weight: 54kgs
Stats
Comments
Resumes from a spell after only one run when settled back and ran on when 8th of 14 at Hanshin Dirt on February 21 over 1800m, 11 len behind Acorn Dream with 57.0kg at $51.80. Prepared to watch.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/14 | 21/02/2026 | - | NEWC 3 | $114,290.00 | Hanshin | 1800m | Good | Kanta Taguchi | 57kg | 1:55.50 | 13-8-8 | 13 |
| 11.3L | $51.80 |