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’.

Ascot Racecourse – Track Analysis (Diamond Jubilee Stakes Day):

Racing in a clockwise direction, Ascot is a triangular venue so well acclaimed of its enormous track width, featuring on top of which a 1600m home chute to accommodate for straight contests at up to a mile.

For the day’s main feature – the 1200m Diamond Jubilee Stakes on the straight course – starting positions are numbered reversely back in, where the runner drawn highest will break from the stands side. When it comes to full fields of 20 or more dueling for early speed on a firm track, this particular stands side, as per customary for many a contest in this Royal meeting, is the better place to be; the same goes for the 1000m Windsor Castle Stakes, the 1200m Wokingham Stakes (Handicap) and the 1400m Chesham Stakes, which will all utilize this straight course likewise, though surprises could occasionally be found knifing through the pack in the middle of the course. As for the 2392m Hardwicke Stakes and the 4330m Queen Alexandra Stakes – both being deep routes – early paces are usually pedestrian, or moderate at best, and stall assignments have minimal bearings. That being said, one simple rainy day would easily turn such case totally upside down.

In all, be it for straight dashes, or cruising around the full circuit, fields will have to fight for Ascot glory through that grueling 500m-plus homestretch, where another steep, surmounting ascent suddenly looms in large right before the finish. On top of all the ups and downs throughout this course, front-runners do need more than a herculean task to take the field all the way home.

In the 2017 edition of the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, when the turf is listed as good to firm, THE TIN MAN, TASLEET and LIMATO were all sitting a little further back – while still keeping in touch with the field – before launching their bids inside the last 200m to check in first through third, with THE TIN MAN, hugging the far side rail in particular, resolutely held off both TASLEET and LIMATO in the final strides to secure the victory.

With sunny skies that will extend towards Saturday – and therefore good to firm goings – on deck for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes Day this year, forwardly-placed runners may be much favored.

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