Masquerade Ball, the 3-year-old colt who captured his first G1 title in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), returned to the Miho Training Center on the 13th after completing his post-race training at Yamamoto Training Center in Miyagi Prefecture. The Shadai Thoroughbred Club announced on its website that the colt will now proceed as planned toward the G1 Japan Cup (November 30, Tokyo Racecourse) with jockey Christophe Lemaire. Although Masquerade Ball had received an invitation to the Hong Kong International Races, connections have declined and will focus solely on the Japan Cup.

Meanwhile, Tastiera, the 5-year-old horse who finished eighth in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), will also point to the Japan Cup with jockey Damian Lane, according to an announcement from Carrot Club. The team had been considering a tilt at the G1 Hong Kong Cup (December 14, Sha Tin), but decided to remain in Japan for another run at Tokyo Racecourse.

With Danon Decile (Colt, 4yo) already confirmed for the Japan Cup and Croix du Nord (Colt, 3yo) likely to join if preparations go smoothly, the prestigious race could feature a rare lineup of three generations of Japanese Derby winners facing off.