A STAR-studded field of 18 tackles Sunday’s Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen over 11 furlongs at Hanshin Racecourse.

Although Almond Eye is missing, the fans who vote for the horses they want to see in the line-up will still see many big names battle it out for the honours with no less than eight Grade 1 winners in the race.

Last year, Lys Gracieux became just the fourth filly or mare to win the Takarazuka Kinen. The winner this year will receive automatic entry to this year’s Breeders’ Cup and the Cox Plate.

Saturnalia comes to the race after winning the Grade 2 Kinko Sho over 2,000 metres at Chukyo in March, his only start so far this year.

Last year’s Group 1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) winner couldn’t follow that up with a Derby win, but he’s started 2020 in good form with Christophe Lemaire on board.

Lucky Lilac won the Group 1 Osaka Hai and the five-year-old mare by Orfevre is a triple top-level winner. Jockey Mirco Demuro bids for his third Group 1 win this year.

Chrono Genesis, a four-year-old filly by Bago, has five wins from 10 starts and was fifth in last year’s Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup. She just got beaten by a neck last time by Lucky Lilac.

Blast Onepiece won his first race this year in a Group 2 over 2,200 metres at Nakayama in January, but then had to settle for seventh most recently in the Group 1 Osaka Hai in April and is drawn widest of the 18.

Glory Vase (Deep Impact) runs for the first time since winning the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase last December – where he beat Lucky Lilac – and has Damian Lane on board.

Kiseki made little impression in France last autumn but made a bold showing in the Tenno Sho (Spring), and coming back in distance could be just what the six-year-old needs.

He is aiming to go one better than last year’s second place and will again be ridden by veteran Yutaka Take.