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.

Expert Column for Sprinters Stakes (S1-1) (Naohiro Goda)

S1-1 Sprinters Stakes

This is not a vintage edition of the Yasuda Kinen, with the absence of Hong Kong-trained horses, and it looks very wide open. 

Since LORD KANALOA retired at the end of 2013 season, there has been no outstanding sprinter in Japan, and this year’s renewal of the Sprinters Stakes looks very wide open.

My first choice is MIKKI ISLE, a 4-yo colt, who I hold in very high esteem as a sprinter. By May 2014, MIKKI ISLE had run in six races, all of which were over 1,600m, and won five of them including the G1 NHK Mile Cup, which is the 2000 Guineas equivalent in Japan. He has natural speed and quickened away in all five races he won. However, his front running tactics did not work, when he started to run against top older milers, and he was subsequently well beaten in both the G1 Yasuda Kinen and the G1 Mile Championship. Connections of MIKKI ISLE then reverted to racing him over 1,200m for the first time in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen in March 2015, and it was very encouraging performance, as he finished third to AEROVELOCITY beaten by half a length. Although MIKKI ISLE has not raced since June, he has been training impressively at the Ritto Training Centre, and I am sure he is ready to run a big race on Sunday.

While it is a shame that LUCKY NINE canceled his trip to Japan, LUCKY NINE’s half-brother TEEHAFF, is on course to run Sprinters Stakes, and I believe he is the principal threat to MIKKI ISLE. TEEHAFF, who is three years younger than LUCKY NINE, was an impressive winner of the G3 Hakodate Sprint Stakes in June. He has the fastest closing speed sectionals in the field for the Sprinters Stakes, and I believe the strong pace, which will be made by HAKUSAN MOON and ACTIVE MINORU, will be beneficial to TEEHAFF.

STRAIGHT GIRL, who ran well in Hong Kong last December, finishing third to AEROVELOCITY in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint, is another danger to the chances of MIKKI ISLE. The reason for her poor performance in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen in March was the loose ground, which she could not handle well. As only a little rain is expected during the week leading up to Sprinters Stakes, conditions at Nakayama on Sunday should be ideal for STRAIGHT GIRL.

The best performance by BEL CANTO so far was in the G3 Ibis Summer Dash over the 1,000m straight course at Niigata on August 2nd. Although I think her best trip maybe 1,000m, I was also impressed by her workmanlike performance when she won the G3 Kita-kyushu Kinen over 1,200m at Kokura on August 23rd. She was settled behind leaders that day, and then drew clear using her tactical speed down the homestretch. BEL CANTO should run well on Sunday if she reproduces that form.

I respect RICH TAPESTRY, who is very versatile sprinter, having won on turf, dirt and a synthetic surface, and he is also an experienced traveller, having run in Dubai, the United States, and Singapore. Whilst I am worried about his ability to handle the quick ground at Nakayama, he cannot be underestimated.

SELECTIONS: 13. MIKKI ISLE, 16. TEEHAFF, 2. STRAIGHT GIRL, 7. BEL CANTO & 1. RICH TAPESTRY

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