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

Chukyo Racecourse – Track Analysis (Takamatsunomiya Kinen):

Though smaller in acreage than the Tokyo Racecourse, the left-handed Chukyo Racecourse is still one of the major venues under the Japan Racing Association, particularly so with a new look after the refurbishment project from a few years back. The turf track measures 1700m in circumference, with a 412m homestretch running from the last turn to the finish.

With its wicked corners as compared to Tokyo, and only a 300m stampede from the 1200m start to the first turn, early positioning in the featured Takamatsunomiya Kinen – with usually an over-subscribed field – is of pivotal importance from a tactical perspective. Though horses breaking from outside post positions will be slightly disadvantaged, inside-drawn runners with less frontal speed would also get boxed in upon turning for home. Moreover, the Chukyo homestretch, likewise to its Tokyo counterpart, grades uphill towards the finish, and is quite a challenge for the front-runners that attempt to preserve the lead every step of the way. In all, a 1200m trip at Chukyo generally favours prominently-placed runners or horses sitting just off the pace.

In the 2017 running of the Takamatsunomiya Kinen, while a drizzle kept teasing the good ground at Chukyo – and the goings not as good as it was listed – SEIUN KOSEI, LET’S GO DONKI and RED FALX, the eventual tierce, all saved ground early, with SEIUN KOSEI in particular switching to the clear at the top of the stretch and pounced home first, while LET’S GO DONKI and RED FALX took the inside tracks to check in second and third respectively.

With continued precipitation that would fade by mid-week, according to the local weather forecasts, this year’s Takamatsunomiya Kinen will hopefully be contested on good to firm turf – and should that be the case, horses breaking from middle or inside post positions and laying closer to the speed would be much favoured in contention.

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.