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, ‘Banker’, ‘Racing Horizon’ and ‘Horse Racing – Results’.

Nakayama Racecourse – Track Analysis (Arima Kinen):

With its huge undulations, tight corners and short stretch runs, for the 2,500-metre Arima Kinen contested on the clockwise Nakayama strip, the field will, immediately after the break, tackle a downhill run while bearing right for an extended section of 600 metre. Again, due to the sharpness of this first corner, outside-drawn runners will either be parked wide, or forced to tuck back behind the pack and save ground. That being said, as a route race with presumably slower early fractions, runners still have plenty of time and space to position properly after hitting the homestretch for the first time.

After then, this Arima Kinen field will go by the judge, with still one full lap to travel – and certainly the afore-mentioned 600-metre corner section, where the course will descend all the way until another abrupt up-hill run some 250 metres from home. With such undulations, front-runners are apparently drawing the short straw, yet again, as the final corner is quite sharp just before turning for home, deep closers may as well have to launch their bid from far out wide, or simply get stuck in traffic with nowhere to go. Also, with just a 300-metre stretch run to the finish, horses from off the pace need to start moving through the turn, or leave themselves too much to do down the lane. In the 2013 running of this G1 prize, Japanese Triple Crown champion ORFEVRE did just that by accelerating on the far outside midway through the corner, taking the lead at the top of the stretch to prevail by open lengths.

Reviewing the race meeting at Nakayama on 14 December 2014, with the track listed as firm, front-runners or speed horses close to the pace had a field day; while according to local forecasts, rain or even snow may be on the menu for the coming few days. Should this year’s running be staged on a soft or heavy track, closers may regain some of their advantages.

Disclaimer:
The above content and information are the personal views and/or opinions of each individual writer and do not represent the views of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its subsidiaries (together, the "HKJC"). The content and information are provided by the writers solely for entertainment purpose only, and should not be construed as a suggestion for anyone to place any bet nor should they be taken and/or relied upon as advice of any kind. The above content and information have not been verified, confirmed and/or endorsed by HKJC and HKJC shall not be liable to any person for any loss or damage suffered by such person as a result of any use or reliance of the above content or information.

HKJC shall not be required to give and does not give any warranty, whether express or implied, arising out of or in connection with the content or information. The Club disclaims any responsibility and accepts no liability (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for any direct or indirect loss of damage arising from any inaccuracies, omission or typographical errors that may be contained therein. The Club also does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or fitness for purpose of any such information.