Japan Expert - Naohiro Goda

Naohiro is a leading journalist and commentator in Japan with regular television shows on networks such as NHK Network and Green Channel. He is a regular contributor for newspapers, magazines and websites including Sports Nippon, Weekly Gallop, and netkeiba.com. He also operates a bloodstock business marketing firm. Naohiro is a frequent international racing traveler and a regular visitor to the Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin.

S1-1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen

The scintillating performance by LORD KANALOA in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin in December – one of the most valuable and prestigious sprint races in the world - was a pleasant surprise for all of us involved in horse racing and breeding in Japan. We know the sprinters in Hong Kong are very fast and strong, and we have seen many Japanese champion sprinters fail in Hong Kong in the past, so to have watched LORD KANALOA win the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint comfortably, was like a dream come true, and hopefully the dawn of a new era for Japanese sprinters.

LORD KANALOA, a 5-year-old horse by KING KAMEHAMEHA, made his seasonal debut in the Group 3 Hankyu Hai over 1400 metres at Hanshin on Feb 24. Despite the trip being 200 metres further than his ideal distance, he travelled nicely and delivered an impressive challenge down the homestretch, to win by three quarters of length, carrying 128lbs. He looked stronger than ever before, and might have fully matured into a top equine athlete now. It is very difficult to find any worries about him for the big race this weekend.

Since Apr 2011, only 4 horses have finished ahead of LORD KANALOA in 11 starts, and three of them will oppose him in this race.

DREAM VALENTINO, a 6-year-old horse by ROSES IN MAY, was the winner of the Group 3 Hakodate Sprint Stakes over 1200 metres on Jun 17, 2012, when LORD KANALOA was runner-up. He was subsequently a good third in the Group 1 Sprinters Stakes on Sep 30 at Nakayama, beaten only a length, by LORD KANALOA, who gained his revenge.

After the Sprinters Stakes, DREAM VALENTINO was given a four-month break, and returned to Kyoto Racecourse on Jan 27 in Group 3 Silk Road Stakes. Starting at 5.4 odds second favourite, he looked in need of the race, but ran bravely and still managed to win his second graded stake. DREAM VALENTINO has subsequently trained impressively at Ritto Training Center, and I believe he has the best chance to finish second to LORD KANALOA.

SAN CARLO, a 7-year-old horse by SYMBOLI KRIS S, finished runner-up in this race last year, with LORD KANALOA third. After disappointing in his first five runs, SAN CARLO bounced back to top form at Hanshin on Dec 24, when winning the Group 2 Hanshin Cup over 1400 metres.

Prior to Takamatsunomiya Kinen, SAN CARLO had prepped in Group 3 Hankyu Hai, over 1400 metres on Feb 24 at Hanshin. He missed the start on that occasion, but still displayed an impressive late dash down the homestretch to finish fourth. I believe he will run a better race on Sunday.

EPICE AROME, a 4-year-old filly by DAIWA MAJOR, won the Group 2 Centaur Stakes over 1200 metres at Hanshin on Sep 9, 2012, when LORD KANALOA was runner-up. She subsequently ran well when a good fourth in the Group 1 Sprinters Stakes last autumn.

Although it may be tough for her to carry 121lbs against colts and horses in Takamatsunomiya Kinen – she only carried 115lbs in Centaur Stakes and 117lbs in Sprinters Stakes - I still think she has good chance to finish in the first four.

My fifth choice is DASHER GO GO, a 6-year-old horse by SAKURA BAKUSHIN O. He has been running consistently, and I understand we should not dismiss him lightly.

SELECTIONS: 11. LORD KANALOA, 12.DREAM VALENTINO, 9.SAN CARLO, 3.EPICE AROME & 17.DASHER GO GO

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