Kyoto Racecourse will stage a comprehensive Sunday of racing on January 18, as a twelve-race program unfolds from 9:50am to 4:10pm, offering a measured progression from emerging talent to elite-level competition. The card will balance volume with quality, anchored by the Nikkei Shinshun Hai (G2) in Race 11, an open-class contest valued at 109,620,000 yen, which will stand as the defining moment of the afternoon.
The day will begin with sustained emphasis on three-year-old development. Race 1 at 9:50am will send 16 maiden runners over 1200 metres, immediately placing speed and composure under pressure for a purse of 11,280,000 yen. Race 2 at 10:20am will stretch the test to 1800 metres with a 12-runner field, shifting the focus toward stamina and settling ability. Race 3 at 10:50am will maintain the early intensity as another full field of 16 contests 1400 metres, reinforcing the competitive depth of the juvenile ranks.
Allowance company will take over as the morning advances. Race 4 at 11:20am will feature three-year-olds stepping into allowance conditions over 1200 metres, with 10 runners chasing an increased prize of 15,620,000 yen. Race 5 at 12:10pm will introduce a wide-open newcomer event over 2000 metres, where 17 unraced runners will be judged purely on preparation and potential. That sequence will conclude with Race 6 at 12:40pm, an 18-runner maiden over 1600 metres that will demand tactical clarity amid heavy traffic.
The afternoon phase will shift attention toward older, more seasoned horses. Race 7 at 1:10pm will assemble allowance runners aged four and up over 1900 metres, a contest expected to reward patience and positional awareness. Race 8 at 1:40pm will extend the challenge to 2400 metres, further testing endurance while maintaining the same 15,620,000 yen purse.
Higher-value contests will then sharpen the competitive edge. Race 9, the Ogurayama Tokubetsu at 2:15pm, will bring together 16 runners over 1400 metres for 30,620,000 yen, followed by Race 10, the Otsu Tokubetsu at 2:50pm, contested over 1800 metres with prize money of 30,580,000 yen. Together, the pair will serve as a natural bridge between allowance racing and graded company.
The meeting will reach its focal point at 3:30pm with Race 11, the Nikkei Shinshun Hai (G2). Thirteen open-class runners will line up over 2400 metres, contesting one of the most significant staying prizes of the winter. The race will not only carry substantial financial reward of 109,620,000 yen, but also offer insight into horses capable of shaping the season ahead.
Contenders: Meiner Celerius, Satono Glanz, Doctor Dolittle, Allnatt, Coachella Valley, Goltzschtal, Family Time, Yamanin Bouclier, Libyan Glass, Submariner, Shining Sword, Lilac, Meiner Chrysola
Race 12 at 4:10pm will bring the curtain down on the day with a 4-Year-Olds & Up Allowance over 1600 metres. A field of 11 runners will contest the 15,620,000 yen purse, a race that often rewards tactical awareness after a long afternoon on the Kyoto turf.
Overall, Kyoto Racecards 18 January will reflect structure, balance, and intent, with each phase of the card contributing to a clear competitive narrative. From early developmental races to a proven Group 2 centerpiece, the afternoon will offer sustained engagement for both participants and the followers.
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