JP - Tokyo City Keiba - Race 4

SEKITEI ROCKS (3) sets the standard after returning with a decisive win at this track over the distance, scoring from New Couture by a length and a half after being heavily supported into very short odds-on territory. That first-up performance was backed by a strong closing effort and he remains unbeaten at both this venue and 1m, so he is entitled to hold favouritism. FIRST FORTE (6) is the main danger off his close third two starts ago, and his record with Genki Fujimoto gives him a solid base despite a flatter fifth last time. SYM ARMATURA (9) has to rebound from a tame tenth, but his narrow second the run prior keeps him in winning calculations if he returns to that level. REVIVE MAILLARD (2) brings the safest track-and-distance profile of the quartet, with three wins and three placings from ten attempts, and his last-start fourth behind World Fountain reads well enough to make him a genuine contender.