Future looks bright on dirt

Some good recent efforts by Pearl Bloodstock runners in Japan could continue tomorrow when Pearl Future lines up at Hanshin (07.20 UK time).

Trainer Mitsu Nakauchida has declared the three-year-old son of Neo Universe for a first start on dirt, and he has booked French ace Mickael Barzalona for the ride. Barzalona recently won on Great Pearl in Sheikh Fahad's Pearl Bloodstock colours at Kyoto.

Tomorrow Pearl Future is one of 16 runners over 1,400m in the final race on Hanshin's card. He won on debut at Kokura last year as a juvenile, and was then third a month later. He subsequently had a long break between February and November, and should progress for the latest start.

In Europe, Speed Freak bids to break his duck in an 11-runner maiden at Wolverhampton (17.15). Consistently placed for trainer Ralph Beckett (pictured right with David Redvers), Speed Freak will be ridden by Sean Levey in Qatar Racing's colours.