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 Queen Elizabeth II Cup Day (S1) (Naohiro Goda)

S1-1     Queen Elizabeth II Cup

VIVLOS is arguably one of the best fillies in training at turf division in the world. I am sure WINX in Australia is much better female athlete than VIVLOS and ENABLE in Europe is as well. So then, who else could be regarded as better female thoroughbred than VIVLOS? Let’s go through the time tunnel back to March in Dubai, where the 4YO filly by DEEP IMPACT was comfortable winner of the G1 Dubai Turf beating quality field.

RIBCHESTER, third finisher in that race, who was beaten a length by VIVLOS there, had won three G1 Stakes subsequently, including the Lockinge Stakes, the Queen Anne Stakes and the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, and is regarded as the best older miler in Europe. ZARAK, the fourth finisher, would win the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, premier target for middle distance older horses in France. MUTAKAYYEF, the fifth finisher, was runner-up to RIBCHESTER in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes. And DECORATED KNIGHT, the sixth finisher, had won two G1 Stakes subsequently, including the Tattersalls Gold Cup and Irish Champion Stakes, and is regarded as one of the best mile and quarter runners in Europe.

The G1 Dubai Turf is the evidence which clarify VIVLOS is the horse with the same caliber as those big names in Europe. And she has been trained beautifully since the G2 Fuchu Himba Stakes on 14th October at Tokyo, which was her first start since March and finished good second, and it is simple choice for me to select VIVLOS as my first pick for this race.             

My second choice is MIKKI QUEEN, 5YO mare by DEEP IMPACT. She has not won major race since she captured two Classic for fillies in 2015 when she was 3YO, however, she performed well in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen in June, finishing third running against colts and horses, and proved she is still competitive at the highest level. Her dam, MUSICAL WAY, won three at Group level and finished third in two G1 Stakes, the Premio Lydia Tesio and the Hong Kong Cup, during the second half of season when she was 5YO.

The record of last ten running of the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup showed that 3YO fillies have done well, as four of last ten winners are 3YO and four of last ten second finishers are 3YO as well. Therefore, my third choice is DEIRDRE, 3YO filly who has won last three starts in a row, including the G1 Shuka Sho, final leg of the Japanese Fillies’ Triple Crown, on 15th October at Kyoto.

ROUGE BUCK, 5YO mare by MANHATTAN CAFE, is very good on her day, while her race record contains a lot of “up and down” and shows she is not so reliable type of race horse. Honestly speaking, I do not know if coming Sunday could be her day, but I know Ryan Moore on the saddle will try his best to make it her day.

I understand we should not neglect QUEENS RING, who will try to achieve the back-to-back win of the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup, and she is my fifth choice.

SELECTIONS: 16. VIVLOS, 10. MIKKI QUEEN, 11. DEIRDRE, 17. ROUGE BUCK & 7. QUEENS RING

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