6:15am - SHARP JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION PLATE | 2000m | Group 3 | i

Some depth in this race over 2000m and plenty of early speed too. ARBEITSAM will be joined by ALMOST COURT and a few others are capable of pushing forward alongside them. RISING RED is one of those, a stayer that probably brings the best 2000m+ rating to this race, a 2nd to Gingernuts in the G1 NZ Derby. If he's up to that level 3rd-up he will be hard to beat, but there are plenty in the mix. ARBEITSAM (risk up in weight with strong tempo) perhaps a little short in markets, while MAURUS, ALMOST COURT, COOL CHAP and NETTOYER all represent strong chances, tjhe mare NETTOYER a huge winner last time to 2000m (on heavy track). Hard to knock INTERLOCUTER, MONTAUK and RADIPOLE (if he handles the distance). The race doesn't end there either, perhaps progressive 4YOs are the way to play the race. [updated 8:09am]