A Deep Dive into the Top Contenders for the Ohi 1200m Sprint
The Viola Sho, an open special race at Ohi Racecourse on December 2, 2025, features a clash of titans. From the decorated veteran Lowell and former JRA star Sheer Gist to the electrifying 3-year-old sprint queen Half Blue, the field is packed with talent. This comprehensive analysis breaks down each contender’s training data, pedigree, and course suitability, complete with a race simulation and our expert’s final betting selections.
Top Pick: Veteran Lowell is in peak form and the one to beat.
Upset Potential: 3-year-old filly Half Blue, with a feather-light 52kg, is the main challenger.
Ones to Watch: Sheer Gist (high-class JRA form) and Luis (improving with each race).
Consistent Performer: Strike On is a reliable choice for any wager, rarely missing the board at Ohi 1200m.
Key to the Race: The intensity of the early pace and the track condition on race day will be decisive.
Ohi Racecourse’s 1200m outer loop is one of the most spacious tracks in regional Japanese racing. With a long 500m straight from the start to the third corner, it’s a fair course with minimal draw bias. However, this also means there’s nowhere to hide; pure speed isn’t enough. To conquer Ohi’s long 386m home straight and deep, power-sapping sand, a horse needs a high-level combination of speed, stamina, and power—true “all-around ability.”
In early December, Ohi’s track tends to be dry and slow, favoring power-type horses. Rain, however, can transform it into a high-speed surface. This field is stacked with fast horses, so even on a good track, we can expect a blistering pace, potentially in the 1:11 or even 1:10 range. The day’s track condition is a critical factor, determining whether this will be a grueling test of endurance or a flat-out speed duel.
A 7-year-old who consistently performs at the top level of Ohi’s sprint division. His pedigree (Kizuna x Songandaprayer) is a golden cross for Japanese dirt sprinting, blending power and speed. He coasted to victory in his last start, the “Opal Sho,” proving his class. After a refreshing spell at a training farm, his final workout on the uphill track was phenomenal, clocking a blazing 12.0s final furlong. His condition is perfect. Carrying 56kg seems generous for a horse of his caliber, and with his tactical versatility and jockey Norifumi Mikamoto in the irons, he is undoubtedly the horse to beat.
A high-class horse who won two races in the JRA, including a listed stakes where he defeated a future Jpn1 winner. Sired by Ghostzapper out of a Medaglia d’Oro mare, his all-American dirt pedigree should be perfectly suited to Ohi’s sand. His new stable has been experimenting with his training regimen, and now in his third start since transferring, he is expected to show significant improvement. His final workout was ambitious and impressive, easily besting his work partner. If he recaptures his old brilliance, he has more than enough talent to challenge Lowell.
Winner of the Yushun Sprint (S2), she is the reigning sprint champion of her generation. Her pedigree (Thunder Snow x Sinister Minister) guarantees both speed and an affinity for Ohi Racecourse. Her last race on the road at Sonoda can be ignored; returning to her home track of Ohi 1200m, where she has a 100% top-two finish rate, a bounce-back is almost certain. Her greatest weapon is the significant weight advantage: she carries 52kg, a full 4kg less than the older males. This will be a massive advantage at the start and in the final stretch, giving her a powerful boost to overcome the competition.
A specialist with an incredible record of consistency, finishing in the top two in all seven of his starts between 1000m and 1200m in the Nankanto region, including stakes races. Despite being by Victoire Pisa out of a Bago mare, he has blossomed as a dirt sprinter. He won over this exact course and distance in February, making his track suitability second to none. Although returning from a layoff, his final workout showed a razor-sharp finish (11.5s final furlong), indicating he’s ready to fire. He is extremely unlikely to finish off the board, making him a highly reliable anchor for any wager.
His pedigree (Kinshasa no Kiseki x Sakura Bakushin O) is a fusion of Japan’s premier sprinting bloodlines. He’s a classic type that improves with racing, and after a strong runner-up finish by a neck in his first start back from a break, he’s primed for a peak performance. His final workout was fluid and energetic, showing he’s in top condition. With a 54kg handicap, 2kg lighter than the top contenders, he has a great chance to be in the mix in a tight finish.
The dedicated front-runner Lampron, drawn on the inside, is expected to set the pace. Captain Neki and Half Blue, looking to leverage her light weight, will likely press forward, potentially creating a heated battle for the lead. Lowell and Sheer Gist will probably settle just behind this leading group, stalking the pace.
If the early pace is blistering, it will set the race up for the closers. Tosen Thunder, who finished second in the After 5 Star Sho (S3) with the fastest closing split, is a major threat if the race unfolds in his favor. Dream Believer also warrants attention; he could have been in the top flight last time out if not for some bad luck.
Emisaki Hokoru, with a solid record in JRA open-class races, is not to be underestimated. While this is her first start since transferring, she has the raw ability to compete. If she takes to the Nankanto region’s sand, she could easily upset the favorites.
| No. | Horse | Date | Track | Time | Pace | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Strike On | N/A | Funabashi (Outer) | 63.3-48.1-35.9-11.5 | Hard | Excellent extension |
| 2 | Sheer Gist | 11/27 | Kobayashi (Outer) | 65.5-49.2-36.9 | Hard | Ambitious work |
| 4 | Luis | 11/27 | Ohi (Outer) | 65.3-50.4-36.7 | Strong | Perfectly conditioned |
| 6 | Captain Neki | 11/28 | Kobayashi (Outer) | 64.5-49.2-36.6 | Hard | Good preparation |
| 7 | Half Blue | 11/27 | Ohi (Outer) | 65.6-51.7-37.4 | Canter | Smooth movement |
| 8 | Lowell | 11/27 | Farm Uphill | 38.0-24.4-12.0 (3F) | Strong | Off-site training |
| 9 | Dream Believer | 11/28 | Ohi (Outer) | 65.9-53.4-39.4 | Canter | Moving with ease |
| 10 | Emisaki Hokoru | 11/27 | Kawasaki | 64.2-51.4-39.1 | Hard | Fast from the start |
Analysis: Strike On’s 11.5s final furlong and Lowell’s 12.0s on the uphill track are outstanding times for dirt horses. Sheer Gist and Captain Neki also posted solid, strenuous workouts, indicating the top contenders are all in excellent shape and difficult to separate on condition alone.
Based on this multi-faceted analysis, here is our final conclusion.
◎ Top Pick8 Lowell
Absolute ability, peak condition, course suitability, and a top jockey. There are no weaknesses. We expect a classic press-and-pounce victory. It’s hard to see anyone stopping him.
○ Strong Contender7 Half Blue
The 52kg weight allowance is a massive advantage. She could easily win this on pure speed. The primary challenger.
▲ Solid Chance1 Strike On
Will get a perfect, ground-saving trip from the inside post. If the pace collapses, he could sweep past them all.
☆ Dark Horse / △ Place Contenders
We value the class of ☆ 2 Sheer Gist and the upward trajectory of △ 4 Luis as potential high-payout inclusions.
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This report is an analytical article based on available information. Horse racing involves uncertainty. Please wager responsibly.