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 Yasuda Kinen (S2-1) (Naohiro Goda)

S2-1 Yasuda Kinen

MAURICE, who is on a winning streak of seven races including four G1 victories over 1,600m, is arguably the best miler in Asia, and one of the best milers in the world. MAURICE is the kind of horse who needs an interval between races, and it is not ideal for him to run the G1 Yasuda Kinen, just five weeks after his brilliant performance in the G1 Champions Mile in Hong Kong. Noriyuki Hori is a patient trainer, who never runs his horses unless he believes they are in peak condition, and I believe MAURICE is ready to win, provided Hori decides to run him.

FUJI KISEKI has sired many late bloomers and runners who have got better with old age. A good example is STRAIGHT GIRL, who is now a seven-year-old and won the G1 Victoria Mile on the 15th May, which is widely recognized as the best performance of her career. I think ROSA GIGANTEA is another typical progeny by FUJI KISEKI. ROSA GIGANTEA has been highly regarded at Kazuo Fujisawa’s stable from day one. He won the G2 Fuji TV Sho Spring Stakes as a three-year-old in March 2014, when he was reckoned not to have matured both mentally and physically. After subsequently experiencing a 10-race losing streak, ROSA GIGANTEA finally captured his second Graded Stakes victory in the G2 Hanshin Cup last December, and then finished a good third in the G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup on the 14th May, despite being his seasonal debut after a six months rest. His recent form suggests the time has come for ROSA GIGANTEA to show his true ability, and I believe he comes into the race in peak condition.

REAL STEEL won his first G1 race, the Dubai Turf, at the Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan in March, when holding off the late challenge by European representative, EURO CHARLINE. Subsequently, EURO CHARLINE finished second in the G1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in UK on 14th May, which suggests the Dubai Turf, was not a weak renewal. What I am worried about REAL STEEL, is the distance. I think 1,600m is slightly too short for him, who proved he had plenty of stamina when runner-up to KITASAN BLACK over 3,000m in the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger).

This is the eighth attempt by trainer John Size to run a horse in the Yasuda Kinen, and his contender CONTENTMENT looks to be the best chance he has ever had. He is a consistent athlete, and has improved throughout this season. Provided he can handle the anti-clockwise track well, I believe he will finish in the first four, and I would not be surprised if he finishes second to MAURICE, beating the rest of the locally-trained horses. Reports from Shiroi, where CONTENTMENT spent his quarantine, and Tokyo Racecourse where he arrived earlier this week, have been all positive.

ISLA BONITA loves Tokyo Racecourse, where he has won four races and been placed four times from nine starts at the highest level. He has been disappointing in his last two starts, but can be a different horse at Tokyo on Sunday.

SELECTIONS: 8. MAURICE, 3. ROSA GIGANTEA, 11. REAL STEEL, 5. CONTENTMENT & 9. ISLA BONITA

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