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The first of the classics will be run at Hanshin on Sunday.

And to herald in that race there are two G2s on Saturday – the New Zealand Trophy and Nakayama and the Hanshin Himba at Hanshin.

The New Zealand Trophy is over 1600m for the 3yos and here the top pick is Rodeo Drive, by Saturnalia on 2.2 with Tsumura riding.  Go Lucky is a Kitasan Black with T Yokoyama on board at 4.0 and Deal Maker, a son of Isla Bonita, is on 7.5 with Tosaki riding.

The Hanshin Himba is in open class for f&m over 1600m with nine runners and here Embroidery looks like the top horse on 2.7 and the choice of Christophe Lemare.  We like Ascoli Piceno who won the Oka Sho on a previous appearance – she's on 3.8 with Sakai in the irons and Lavanda is the third pick on 3.9 although there is not much between her and Ascoli Piceno.

Sunday it's the 86th Oka Sho or Japanese 1000 Guineas.  Favouritism seems to be between Star Anise, a Drefong filly who won the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies with Matsuyama, her regular jockey, in the irons, on 3.6 and Dream Core whose dam won the Hong Kong Cup (Normcore) and who has an excellent turn of foot.  She's by Kizuna and Lemaire will ride with her current price being 3.4.

Alankar is an Epiphaneia filly who was third in the Tulip Sho and will be partnered by Yutaka Take – she's on 5.8 and a very interesting runner is Lily Joie, y Silver State.  She's unbeaten to date and even has a win against the boys but at a lower level.  This is up in class for her but she seems very determined.  Hamanaka rides and she's currently on 8.5.