Aiming for the top in the dirt category, Dura Erede will begin his march again in the northern capital of JRA racing. After finishing eighth in last year's St.Lite Kinen, the former G1 Hopeful Stakes turf champion was transferred to a dirt surface, finishing third in the G1 Champions Cup and then in the G1 Tokyo Daishoten later in the year. He has shown a great aptitude for the dirt and once again demonstrated his top-class ability was not dependent on the type of surface.

This will be his first race in nearly four months, but the stable is not worried. Assistant Terada said, "He came back from the pasture after having a spell. Two weeks ago, I felt he was a bit heavy, but a week ago he was better, but I still feel he can improve. I hope he will improve little by little as we work on him," he said as he outlined his training program.

Unlike his usual training facility in Ritto Training Center, the horse is being trained at Hakodate Racecourse. "He went to Dubai last time and he is the type of horse that adapts to a change of environment quickly. He was in good shape there too, so I have no problem staying there. He already won a maiden race in Sapporo, so he has experience there. I want to get a good result here". In the saddle will be the new combination of the famous jockey, Yutaka Take. This is not just a test for Dura Erede, this is a race he cannot afford to lose as he prepares for the G1 races in the fall.