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’.

Kyoto Racecourse – Track Analysis (Shuka Sho Day):

With no significant undulations, yet a sprawling venue with long stretches, the Kyoto Racecourse, comprising various tracks to cater for turf, dirt and even steeplechases, has the 1950m turf strip – indubitably for flat racing – that envelops all other facilities. Other than a gentle incline at the 1200m marker, just before hitting the turn, and then rolling slightly downhill at the half-mile pole about 800m out, this course is leveled in general, and has a 400m stretch run from the top of it to the finish.

For the featured 2000m Shuka Sho and the Shigiku Sho, fields will travel some 300m right in front of the grandstand for the first time before hitting the first turn; then racing towards the 1000m marker, through the aforementioned undulations before turning for home. Again, with such a long stretch run, this trip still searches for the best horse that can handle a legit pace and take the field home; unless the track gets exceptionally biased, stall assignments usually cast minimal bearings on winning chances.

On the day’s undercard, the 2200m 3yo and up allowance, fields will follow by and large the same 2000m trip, with the only difference being a 500m run in before hitting that same first turn, runners have plenty of time and space to position properly. Meanwhile, runners for the 1600m Sannenzaka Tokubetsu will travel 600m of the backstretch before taking the far turn, and outside-drawn horses still have plenty of time for good positioning. On to the inner dirt oval, the 1200m Fujinomori Stakes, runners do have a full 400m run on the backside before taking the only turn, which is a big plus for the front-runners; whereas the 1800m 3yo and up allowance, fields will brace for a swift bend just merely 300m after the break, and outside-drawn runners will certainly have a tougher task on hand.

In the 2017 running of the G1 Shuka Sho contested on yielding turf, eventual winner DEIRDRE dropped back early, and saved all the ground she could while rounding the far turn before switching out in the clear; then wolfing down her competition with a strong rally from way out wide, she got to the line first for a well-timed score, while LYS GRACIEUX, plying on similar tactics, was late to the scene for second, and MOZU KATCHAN, though taking first command at the top of the stretch, could only hold that lead to the last few strides before fading to third.

With continued fair weather in the Kyoto area, looming precipitation is nevertheless on the menu this Sunday according to the latest local forecasts, and late closers that love the overland route could be perfectly set up for quite a fruitful day on such prospective slow strip. Otherwise – should the track manage to hold off moisture – runners drawing low numbers with late acceleration are still to be favoured.

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