Leung Ho Yin, Simon's Bio
Simon is a well respected full-time thoroughbred racing commentator specializing in overseas international racing. Bringing with him a wealth of racing knowledge, Simon is the host and race caller for the overseas simulcast programme since 2008/09 season. He is currently the presenter on several racing television programmes including, ‘Racing Horizon’ and ‘Horse Racing – Results’.

Caulfield Racecourse – Track Analysis (Blue Diamond Stakes Day):

The Caulfield Racecourse is, besides Moonee Valley, yet another intimidating track in Melbourne that is characterized with its tight turns and short stretch runs. Comprised mainly of short straights, this turf strip, disregarding distance, generally favours front-runners or horses tracking the main speed, while outside-drawn runners would also find their ideal trips by getting the first jump on the field and snatching the rail quick for the lead, or sticking with the first flight along the “two path” as soon as possible.

For both the featured 1200m Blue Diamond Stakes and the 1100m Oakleigh Plate, there are respectably 700m and 600m of run-ups before reaching the first turn, and speed horses breaking from out wide still have all the time they need to position themselves properly – and stand a fighting chance. Nevertheless, at the 1400m marker – where fields for the Angus Armanasco Stakes, the Mannerism Stakes and the Futurity Stakes will break from – a wicked left-hander will swiftly present itself, thus outside-drawn runners invariably have to lose some ground right from the start. Meanwhile, with moderate early fractions in the 1800m Peter Young Stakes – riders would be less adamant to go early, and even a bad post is next to negligible.

Reviewing the race meeting at Caulfield on 10th February, when no portable rails were up and the going was good, a general inside bias was more than apparent, and deep closers that rallied so earnestly from out wide, at their best, could only place occasionally on the day. With looming precipitation at Melbourne this Saturday, tracking listing would be a key on the final selections, yet should the strip be kept dry, prominently placed runners on the front-end would still be preferred.

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