MIYA ESCAPE (6) sets the benchmark after being beaten only half a length by Team Utopia at this track, and her prior Mdn win over Miesta at this venue was sharp enough to suggest she has more to offer. She is proven at this track and distance and the Takeshi Yokoyama record with her is another genuine plus. STELLA NOVA (5) is the main danger on consistency, having run second at Nakayama Dirt after being beaten a nose at Sapporo Dirt, and his three wins at around 1400m give him a strong platform. RINEN TAIRIN (2) has recent form that reads plainly, but his first-up ninth behind Grianmhar was only just under four lengths away and he can tighten second-up. UT JOURNEY (9) comes off two sixths at Sapporo and has not won at this distance, yet her placing record around 1400m keeps her in the mix if she sharpens from those runs.