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’.

Meydan Racecourse – Track Analysis (Dubai Thursday):

The lavish, state-of-the-art Meydan Racecourse features two left-handed tracks of almost immaculate precision: a standard inner dirt oval, 25m in width all round with a 400m homestretch, enveloped by a 30m wide turf track that reaches 450m from the top of the lane to the finish, and further augmented with a 1200m turf chute to cater for sprints. Smooth and hardly undulating, both tracks still present tight turns winging both sides of the course, particularly the inner dirt oval, where its slightly banked turns are often a challenge for big movers from out wide. Except for 1200m, 1800m and 1900m on dirt, where only a short stampede to the first turn poses outside-drawn runners additional challenges, both courses do play fair in general, without any particular bias against front-runners or deep closers.

Meanwhile, getting fiercely sun-baked right on the desert fringe, it is noticeable that both the dirt and turf courses at Meydan – even installed the watering systems – are listed as fast and firm almost year-round, and is a remarkable feature that often gets deep closers in deep trouble, especially in middle-distance or routing contests.

For the night’s card on the turf course – the 1200m 95-108 Handicap will see runners breaking from the outside posts gaining on their competition, whereas the 1600m trip for both the Zabeel Mile and the 95-105 Handicap, and the 2000m Dubai Millennium Stakes, will all utilize the full backstretch before these fields take that only turn. Together with more sedate early pace in deep routes, runners drawing high stall numbers still have plenty of time to position properly. To the inner dirt oval, for the 90-105 Handicap contested at 1400m runners from outside post positions, so long as they possess good tactical speed to take the first jump on the field, dispute the early lead or stalk just behind the pacesetters, would again be as competitive. Nevertheless, for the 1900m UAE Oaks that would see the barrier placed in mere sight of the first turn, fillies breaking from out wide are literally losing ground right from the start.

Despite lingering showers as of late, mainly sunny skies will return just in time on Thursday according to the latest local forecasts, and “fast and firm” will again be the order of the day at Meydan. Therefore, pacesetters and speed horses up front are still expected to dominate the 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.