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

Kenilworth Racecourse – Track Analysis (The Met Day):


Nestled in Cape Town, South Africa, Kenilworth Racecourse, the country’s oldest racecourse that enjoys a special place in the history and tradition of South African horseracing, was established and staged its first meeting in 1881. This left-handed venue is unique for having three tracks: the ‘Old’ track that is 2700m in circumference normally used for winter racing, the 2800m ‘New’ track which is used primarily in summer, and a separate 1200m straight course that runs right through the infield area.

As one of the marquees high-lighting at summer each year in the South African racing calendar, The Met Day will entirely be staged on the ‘New’ track, where all fields racing through the far turn will tackle a slight incline deep down the final furlong, or with about 200m to go. For the pair of main features – The Met and the Cape Derby, both contested at 2000m – fields will travel the full 600m homestretch before hitting the first turn, and is truly good news for outside-drawn runners, which have all the time they need to find coverage or be sent forward. In contrast, runners drawing high numbers in the CTS 1600 and the Majorca Stakes will, in the first 200m of this 1600m trip, need to save as much ground as possible, or be floated wide and possibly lose some balance through a wicked far turn. Nonetheless, with the aforementioned 600m stretch run, deep closers still have all the real property they need to rally from far back.

Meanwhile, for the 1000m Cape Flying Championship – the only prize to visit the straight course on the day – runners will race the first 200m downhill, and then back up the slope with about 200m to go; whereas for the 2800m Western Cape Stayers that utilizes one full lap of this ‘New’ track, the starting gate is positioned immediately after passing the finishing post, thus the field is literally breaking into the first turn. That being said, with more tepid early fractions in a deep route, the draw is generally of little significance.

With intermittent rain and occasional thunderstorms that should recede just in time for some sunny skies extending from mid-week to Saturday, according to local weather forecasts, this year’s edition of The Met Day will still be staged on good goings. Should that be the eventual case, runners breaking from middle or outside post positions would enjoy a slight edge on the straight race, while a balanced selection that includes different running styles is more preferred for contests on the course proper.

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