JAPANESE EMPEROR RETURNS AT SANDOWN TODAY

The reappearance of Japanese Emperor heads a busy Wednesday for us at Sandown where we have four runners.

Japanese Emperor (pictured) runs in the eighth race over 1300 metres with Jye McNeil aboard and drawn barrier four.

The son of Satono Aladdin is back a stronger individual and has pleased Mike Moroney in his build-up to the spring.

“He’s done well off a nice long spell and he looks to have come back well too,” Mike said.

“He’s had a couple of jumpouts to have him ready, the last one was over 1200 metres and he travelled smoothly the whole way without being put under too much pressure.

“He’s in good order and we have high hopes for him this campaign. He’s got his share of weight but he’s a big strong boy.

“Whatever he does today he will improve on but his class will carry him a long way in a race that appears to have several late closers engaged.”

The promising Falcon Of Malta is in the sixth race over 1800 metres with Mark Zahra to ride.

“He made all the running to win here last time out and he steps up in trip today which I don’t think will hinder him being by Fiorente from a deep European classic family, his third-dam the Yorkshire Oaks winner Islington,” Mike said.

“It’s a rise in grade today but I think he’s up to it and I expect him to be hard to beat.”

Zahra will also partner Phantom Dragon in the fifth race over 1500 metres at his second Australian start.

“I was pleased with his run at Geelong where he loomed up like the winner around the home turn before peaking on his run,” Mike said.

“That was his first run for six months and he’s taken nice improvement from it. It’s a step up in class for him today but we thought enough of him to run in the Avondale Guineas last season.

“The Hillside track should suit him and the trip is ideal second-up so I’m looking to him to run a nice race.”

Kowhai is the first to go in the opener over 1300 metres under Jake Noonan.

“We thought enough of her to bring her over here after a respectable debut at Ruakaka on debut in New Zealand in June,” Mike said.

“She’s still a bit green and learning her craft but is improving all the time. She’s had a 800 metre jumpout here where she got amongst them so the experience today will do her a lot of good.

“It’s a hard race to get a handle on with four first starters in the race and not a lot of form to go on but I will be happy to see our filly have a good experience and today will give us a better idea of where we head in the future with her.”