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’.

Kyoto Racecourse – Track Analysis (Queen Elizabeth II Cup Day):

With no significant undulations, yet a sprawling venue with long stretches, the Kyoto Racecourse, comprising tracks to cater for turf, dirt and even steeplechases, has the 1900m turf strip – indubitably for flat racing – enveloping 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 the stretch to the finish.

For the featured 2200m Queen Elizabeth II Cup, the fillies and mares will have a full 500m run in before hitting the first turn; then racing for 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 good, legit pace to take the field home – and unless the track gets exceptionally biased or idiosyncratic, stall assignments would cast minimal bearings on winning chances.

In the 2017 running of this G1 event contested on firm turf, eventual winner MOZU KATCHAN was within reach of the early leaders, and saved all the ground she could while rounding the far turn before kicking into her high gears, just in time to nail the free-wheeling CROCOSMIA in the shadow of the wire, while MIKKI QUEEN, storming home from out wide, was late to the scene for third.

Despite looming precipitation this Friday, the fair weather in the Kyoto area as of late would return just in time on Sunday, and this year's edition of the Queen Elizabeth II Cup should still be contested on good to firm ground. Should that be the case, runners drawing low numbers with late acceleration are still to be favoured.

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