Expert - Naohiro Goda

Naohiro is a leading journalist and commentator in Japan with regular television shows on networks such as NHK Network and Green Channel. He is a regular contributor for newspapers, magazines and websites including Sports Nippon, Weekly Gallop, and netkeiba.com. He also operates a bloodstock business marketing firm. Naohiro is a frequent international racing traveler and a regular visitor to the Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin.

Expert Column for Takamatsunomiya Kinen (S1-1) (Naohiro Goda)

S1-1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen

FINE NEEDLE, one of only five horses who completed the sweep of the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen and the G1 Sprinters Stakes and crowned as JRA Award’s Champion Sprinter in 2018, retired at the end of last season and has started his stud duty at Darley Japan this spring. And RED FALX, JRA Award’s Champion Sprinter in 2017, has also retired and started to stand at Shadai Stallion Station this spring. The division of sprinters in Japan needs a new star and the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen on this weekend should be the stage where the new star is born.

It looks the most likely horse who takes over the role of division leader is DANON SMASH. He won a maiden and an open race, both of which are the races over 1,400m as 2YO and then stepped up at mile division. After finishing fifth in the G3 Arlington Cup and seventh in the G1 NHK Mile Cup, the connection decided to switch the way and sent the son of LORD KANALOA to sprint division. This attempt has proved effectual, as the 4YO colt won three races from four starts over 1,200m since then. He collected his first Graded Stakes when he won the G3 Keihan Hai at Kyoto on 25th November and gave us strong impression that he could be a future Champion Sprinter when he won the G3 Silk Road Stakes at Kyoto on 27th January. And we all are convinced he has inherited an outstanding talent from his father.

DANON SMASH, trained by Takayuki Yasuda who trained LORD KANALOA, is now following the foot step of his great father and the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen should be the first G1 Stakes for him. And I believe the racing fans in Hong Kong will have chance to watch him running at Sha Tin in April at the earliest or in December at the latest.

Another candidate for emerging as a new star at sprinters’ division is MOZU SUPERFLARE, 4YO filly by SPEIGHTSTOWN. She won an open race on 5th January and the G3 Ocean Stakes on 2nd March, both of which are the races over 1,200m at Nakayama, and she made all both races. Though the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen is the first time for MOZU SUPERFLARE to run at top league, I reckon the American-bred filly, who jumps very quickly, is fast enough to compete against G1 performers.

NAC VENUS, 6YO mare by DAIWA MAJOR, should be familiar name as she finished third in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen last year, beaten half a length by FINE NEEDLE, and won the G3 Keeneland Cup over 1,200m at Sapporo last August. She is consistent, as she finished second both in an open race and the G3 Ocean Stakes in last two starts, and I believe she is the horse to beat for the emerging force.

LET'S GO DONKI finished second in the G3 Hankyu Hai on 24th February and proved that she is still to be reckoned with. I understand we should not neglect the 7YO mare, who finished second in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen in 2017 and 2018.

My fifth choice is MR MELODY, who won the G3 Falcon Stakes at Chukyo in March 2018.

SELECTIONS: 13. DANON SMASH, 15. MOZU SUPERFLARE, 9. NAC VENUS, 8. LET'S GO DONKI & 3. MR MELODY

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.