HO O GINGA (7) is the one to beat after making a winning debut at Nakayama, where she was unwanted in the market but settled back and finished over the top to score from Yamanin Alexis. She resumes from eight months off and is untried at around 1800m, but the debut win carried real promise and the profile has upside. BANG ON TIME (9) brings the more exposed consistency, having won as a well-supported favourite at Nakayama after a narrow Niigata second, and her record of one win and eight places from ten starts gives her a reliable base. CARDIOID (8) was beaten a neck and a head at Sapporo before the break, so he is a genuine danger if he returns in the same form, even though winning has been the missing piece. MIENO FAIRY (4) was a sound fifth first-up at Niigata and is proven at this distance, with that fitness edge keeping her right in the winning discussion.