FLOWER CUP (G3) PREDICTIONS

Date of prediction: 21/03/2026

*This page has been updated with results after the race. P = prediction, R = result.*

The Flower Cup is a graded 1800m turf race taking place in Nakayama, Japan on March 21st, 2026. Here are my predictions. My predictions are ordered from my favorite to least favorite.

My Top 4 Picks:

1. Ametista - 2. Nac White - 3. Air Be a Gale - 4. Cosmic Box.

Interesting Horses to Watch:

1. Smart Priere - 2. Longing Celine - 3. Godiamo - 4. Exceed.

Results After Race:

1. Smart Priere - 2. Longing Celine - 3. Exceed - 4. Ametista.

Ametista - 17.93 Rating (P:1, R:4)

Great form so far. 2 wins out of 3 starts, hasn't placed below 2nd yet. Last placed 1st in the Nanohana Sho in mid-January this year. Offspring of Kitasan Black - also has Black Tide, Sunday Silence, and Sakura Bakushin O in pedigree. Great chance to win.

Nac White - 17.34 Rating (P:2, R:8)

Has an okay recent form. Broke their Maiden on their 6th and most recent start mid-February this year. Fresh off last start. Has Stay Gold and Sunday Silence in pedigree. Can win or place if they perform their best.

Air Be a Gale - 17.24 Rating (P:3, R:11)

Very good form so far. Last placed 2nd in an allowance race early January this year. 1 win and 2 top 2 placements out of 3 starts. Has Sunday Silence in pedigree. Should be able to place or sneak in a win.

Cosmic Box - 15.97 Rating (P:4, R:14)

Good form so far. Last placed 4th in the Begonia Sho back in November last year. 2 top 3 placements out of 4 starts. Has Zenno Rob Roy and Sunday Silence in pedigree. Could be one of the contenders.

Smart Priere - 15.5 Rating (P:5, R:1)

Good form so far. Last placed 4th in the Begonia Sho back in November last year. 2 top 3 placements out of 4 starts. Has Zenno Rob Roy and Sunday Silence in pedigree. Should prove a challenge with the G2 experience.

Longing Celine - 15.19 Rating (P:6, R:2)

Very good form so far out of 3 starts. Last placed 3rd in the Nanohana Sho back in mid-January this year. Hasn't placed below 3rd so far. Has Maurice, Grass Wonder, Daiwa Major, and Sunday Silence in pedigree. Good win or place chance.

Early Harvest - 14.0 Rating (P:7, R:6) - CLOSE PREDICTION

Decent form so far. Last placed 4th in the Nanohana Sho bck in mid-January this year. 2 top 3 placements out of 3 starts. Has Daiwa Major and Sunday Silence in pedigree. Good place chance, could sneak a win in.

La Concha Bien - 13.4 Rating (P:8, R:15)

Decent form so far. Broke their Maiden in their last start mid-January this year. 2 top 3 placements out of 3 starts. Kizuna, Deep Impact, and Sunday Silence in pedigree. Good place chance, could sneak in a win.

Birthday Flight - 12.15 Rating (P:9, R:9) - CORRECT PREDICTION

Okay form so far. 3 top 3 placements out of 5 starts. Deep Impact and Sunday Silence in pedigree. Has a chance of placing.

Viscontessa - 10.1 Rating (P:10, R:12)

Okay form so far. 2 top 3 placements out of 3 starts. Deep Impact, Sunday Silence, Orfevre, and Stay Gold in pedigree. May be able to bounce back.

Cara Persona - 9.19 Rating (P:11, R:5)

Okay form so far. Last placed 5th in the G3 Radio Nikkei Hai Kyoto Nisai Stakes back in November last year. Offspring of Epiphaneia - also has Cesario, and Special Week in pedigree. Has a chance of placing.

Godiamo - 7.14 Rating (P:12, R:7)

Only has 1 start so far. Broke their Maiden in their debut back in December last year. Cesario, Special Week, and Admire Vega in pedigree. Hard to judge off of one start but they could be a key contender if all goes right.

Chris Regina - 7.14 Rating (P:13, R:10)

Only has 1 start so far. Broke their Maiden in their debut mid-Janury this year. Epiphaneia, Cesario, Special Week, Deep Impact, and Sunday Silence in pedigree. Hard to judge off of one start but they could be a key contender if all goes right.

Luxe Patrol - 6.37 Rating (P:14, R:13) - CLOSE PREDICTION

Only has 1 start so far. Broke their Maiden in their debut mid-Janury this year. Epiphaneia, Cesario, Special Week, Deep Impact, and Sunday Silence in pedigree. May have a chance if they can bounce back.

Hildegrim - 5.61 Rating (P:15, R:16) - CLOSE PREDICTION

Not the best form so far out of 4 starts. Offspring of Gold Ship - also has Stay Gold, Sunday Silence, Taiki Shuttle, and Mejiro McQueen in pedigree. Probably won't have a chance.

Exceed - 5.6 Rating (P:16, R:3)

Won their first and only start so far. Coming back from injury after 6 months. Christophe Lemaire will be riding this one. Offspring of Kitasan Black - also has Black Tide, Sunday Silence, Sakura Bakushin O, and King Halo in pedigree. As much as I'd love to rate this one higher for various reasons - 6 month injury time, lack of experience, and lack of form push down the rating. However, they could still prove to be a key player and may even win. Could be risky though.