Clash of the Titans: An In-Depth Analysis of Top Contenders like the undefeated Winners Nine
Published on November 28, 2025
A comprehensive prediction for the Kyoto Nisai Stakes (GIII) on November 29, 2025. This pivotal race often foreshadows next year’s classics. We’ll conduct a multi-faceted analysis of course trends, pedigree, and training data to assess the chances of leading contenders, including the undefeated Winners Nine and the blue-blooded Barcecito.
The Kyoto Racecourse’s 2000m inner turf track, home to the Kyoto Nisai Stakes, has a unique layout and elevation changes that significantly influence race dynamics. Here, we detail the course’s characteristics, historical biases, and the impact of track conditions.
The race starts midway down the front stretch, with a relatively short run of about 300 meters to the first corner, intensifying the early battle for position. The track is flat through the first two corners, but the famous “Yodo no Saka” (Yodo Hill) awaits on the backstretch—a challenging incline of over 3 meters in elevation, followed by a sharp descent into the final turn. This demanding topography tests a 2-year-old’s balance and a jockey’s pacing skills.
Historical data reveals certain trends in gate positions. Gate 2 has shown poor results, while Gate 6 has been consistently strong.
| Gate | Record | Win % | Place % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0-1-1-9 | 0.0% | 9.1% | Historically struggles |
| 6 | 1-3-1-8 | 7.7% | 30.8% | Consistent performance |
However, the 2025 race will use the “C-course,” which shifts the rail outward, covering some of the inner track’s wear and tear. This could restore the traditional “inside and forward” bias.
As the Kyoto meeting progresses, the turf transforms from a fast, speed-favoring surface to a tougher, power-demanding condition. As Winners Nine’s trainer, Oguri, commented, “the rough track in the final week should suit him,” suggesting that horses with power and stamina will have an advantage. Conversely, speed-oriented types might struggle with the deteriorating surface.
For inexperienced 2-year-olds, pedigree is a crucial indicator of potential and suitability. Let’s analyze the key bloodline trends in this race.
The Sunday Silence line, which dominates Japanese racing, remains central here. Sires from this line, such as Kizuna (sire of Barcecito) and Contrail (sire of Nettaiyarai), produce offspring with a potent mix of sharp acceleration and course suitability.
Challenging the Sunday Silence dominance, horses with Roberto line blood, known for stamina and power, are gaining prominence. The leading representative, Epiphaneia, has sired three top contenders this year: Winners Nine, Carapersona, and Satono Ivory, all of whom could excel on a demanding track.
Past data for the Kyoto 2000m turf course highlights these sires:
The globally dominant Northern Dancer and speed-oriented Nasrullah lines also play crucial roles in pedigrees, often reinforcing sustained speed and adaptability to tight turns when present in the dam’s side.
We’ll now integrate AI predictions, stable comments, and pedigree to provide a comprehensive analysis of each top contender’s chances.
Sired by Epiphaneia. Unbeaten in two starts, including the Fuyo Stakes. Showed sharp form in a Nov 26 workout, clocking a final furlong in 11.1s on the Ritto CW. Trainer Oguri is confident, stating, “He has real ability and the rough track suits him.” Ranks high in form, pedigree, and condition.
Sired by Kizuna. A blue-blood, being a half-brother to G1 winner Resistencia, and has secured top jockey C. Demuro. Showed high potential by outperforming older, higher-class horses in a pre-race workout. Trainer Matsushita is positive about the step up in distance. The AI prediction favorite.
Sired by Leontes. Winner of the Cosmos Sho. Lost his last race due to temperament issues, but trainer Fukunaga has addressed this with a ring bit. Shows signs of maturity in training, and the longer distance is a plus. A strong candidate for a comeback.
Sired by Epiphaneia. A filly carrying momentum from a decisive maiden victory. She posted impressive times in training against older, open-class horses, indicating peak form. Has the potential to match the colts for speed.
Sired by Epiphaneia. Proved his high-speed capability by finishing second in the record-setting Shiragiku Sho. Trainer Sugiyama highly rates his performance. The main question is his adaptability to a rough track, but his raw talent could overcome it.
Sired by Contrail. A注目 horse as a son of the new sire Contrail. While the camp has some concerns about distance suitability, his long stride suggests he can handle 2000m. If he settles well, his sire’s explosive finishing kick could put him in contention.
By comparing training times from the last two weeks, we can assess each horse’s current condition.
On the CW track, which often correlates with race-day finishing speed, Winners Nine and Carapersona both recorded an exceptional final furlong time of 11.1 seconds. Winners Nine achieved this while being held back, suggesting immense potential. The longshot Rock Tarmigan also posted the same time and is worth noting.
In hill training, which builds strength for Kyoto’s “Yodo no Saka,” Barcecito showed improved mental maturity with a relaxed gallop. The likely front-runner Meisho Solaris and the temperamentally-improving Ask Edinburgh also displayed powerful movements, confirming their good form.
AI prediction data rates Barcecito as the overwhelming favorite with projected win odds of 2.0. With few weaknesses across his pedigree, jockey, and training, he is considered the most reliable horse to build bets around. The second choice, at 5.3, is Winners Nine, whose undefeated record and stellar training are highly valued, suggesting a potential two-horse race.
Synthesizing all analysis, we present our final recommendations.
◎Winners NineUnbeaten in two starts. His overwhelming workout performance and the stable’s confidence in his suitability for a rough track make him the most likely winner.○BarcecitoA blue-blooded colt with a top jockey and perfect preparation. The #1 AI pick, his talent is top-class. A win contender for sure.▲Ask EdinburghIf equipment changes resolve his temperament issues, he can unleash his true ability. A proven performer who deserves another look.△CarapersonaThough a filly, her training form surpasses many colts. She has the speed and mental fortitude to break through in a competitive field.△Satono IvoryHis speed in a record-setting race is undeniable. If he handles the track condition, his ability could carry him to victory.注NettaiyaraiDistance is a question mark, but the explosive power of Contrail’s progeny is an unknown, exciting factor. If he settles, he could cause an upset.
For professional analysis, including final betting slips and bankroll allocation, follow the link below.View Pro Picks on netkeiba.com
※ This report is based on information available as of November 2025. Please check the final odds and track conditions before making your final decisions.