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’.

Tokyo Racecourse – Track Analysis (Yasuda Kinen):

Japan’s Tokyo Racecourse, a vast venue with an extended homestretch measuring 525m, does not feature any tight corners throughout. Horses with good closing speed can still make their moves from out wide just before turning for home. That said, with a subtly ascending stretch drive some 300m from home, it is simply wishful thinking for any frontrunner that fails to open up against the pursuing pack soon enough at the top of the lane to win it every step of the way. Overall, Tokyo Racecourse is a fair track meriting an equal chance for any running style or post position, and it is only the usual pace-dominated race dynamics in Japan that, in general, favours deep closers from off the speed.

For the featured 1600m Yasuda Kinen, starters will have a full 400m run on the backside to find their choice spots before funnelling into the only turn in this race, thus stall assignments would weight only negligible.

In the 2017 running of the Yasuda Kinen, SATONO ALADDIN, with a wide trip from off the speed, reeled in his opposition timely to prevail, while the free-wheeling LOGOTYPE, though drawing wide, nearly made it a gate-to-wire score until the last few strides, and RED FALX, also from the back of the pack, got stalled in traffic at the top of the stretch, and though closing strongly, was late to the scene to finish third.

With intermittent rain that would stop just in time for some sunny skies on Sunday, this year’s edition of the Yasuda Kinen would hopefully be contested on firm turf. Reviewing the recent meeting at Tokyo on 27th May, prominently-placed runners did enjoy better results – which, if track condition holds, should still be the case for the race selections.

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