ATOMIC LIZHI (8) resumes after a debut fourth at Niigata where he was sent out a well-supported favourite and worked home only fairly behind Korallion. That market respect, combined with Christophe Lemaire and the Keisuke Miyata stable, gives him the most persuasive upside in a field of lightly exposed maidens. GRAND STORY (2) brings the cleanest race result, having placed at Niigata on debut despite being unwanted in the market, and her proven 2000m placing makes her a genuine danger. GOLD TESORO (5) was plain as favourite at Fukushima, but that support suggests he was expected to show more and he can improve fresh. AOI GATE (6) has to rebound from a flat Sapporo seventh, though her debut third keeps her in the mix for a minor placing.
