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 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (S2-1) (Naohiro Goda)

S2-1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen

The 2017 edition of G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen has unfortunately lost some big names.

Retirement of MIKKI ISLE, who finished second both in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen and the G1 Sprinters Stakes in 2016, was suddenly announced at the end of January. BIG ARTHUR, who won this race 12 months ago, suffered a muscle strain, while DANCE DIRECTOR, who completed a back-to-back victory in the G3 Silk Road Stakes on 29th January, fractured a leg. As a result, the 2017 Takamatsunomiya Kinen now looks an open contest.

What we want to see is a new star in the sprinters’ division, and I believe Kazumi Yoshida’s MELAGRANA is the horse whom we have been looking for.

Though MELAGRANA is described as a 5YO on the race card, she is actually still a 4YO. She was bred by Emirates Park Pty Ltd in Australia, and born on 21st August 2012. The competition is tough for Southern hemisphere-bred horses to run against Northern hemisphere-bred horses when they are young. This mare by FASTNET ROCK has grown strongly enough now to compete against northern hemisphere-breds. When she turned four she won the September Stakes, a race of Class One equivalent in Japan, on 24th September 2016. Though she was subsequently well beaten in her next start, the G3 Keihan Hai, she did not like the sloppy ground. MELAGRANA bounced back to win the Listed Lapis Lazuli Stakes at Nakayama on 10th December, and then, she collected her first Graded Stakes on 4th March at Nakayama, where she won the G3 Ocean Stakes in good style. I believe the Manabu Ikezoe’s trainee is good enough to win this race of elite standard.

Yukihiro Moroe’s ONCE IN A MOON is another 4YO filly who has improved rapidly in the last few months. This filly by ADMIRE MOON won a condition race of Class Two equivalent on 11th December, and then captured the condition race of Class One equivalent on 8th January. She then ran in a Graded Stakes for the first time, and finished second in the G3 Kyoto Himba Stakes on 18th February at Kyoto. Her performance in that G3 event gives me the impression that she can now be competitive in higher class.

My third pick is SOLVEIG, who is also a 4YO filly in the field, but is not a newcomer, as she is the winner of two Graded Stakes and finished third in the G1 Sprinters Stakes in October. This filly by DAIWA MAJOR, was a beaten sixth in the G3 Silk Road Stakes on 29th January. However, it was her first start since the Sprinters Stakes in October, and she needed the race. I believe she should be fit enough to produce her best form on Sunday.

A more familiar name for racing fans in Hong Kong is RED FALX, who was a disappointing twelfth in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint in December. He is a good and consistent sprinter, when he runs in Japan, and I am sure he has every chance to finish in the first four.

My fifth pick is SHUJI, who likes the track at Chukyo, where he won two races from three starts.

SELECTIONS: 12. MELAGRANA, 18. ONCE IN A MOON, 13. SOLVEIG, 7. RED FALX & 9. SHUJI

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.