 Expert - Naohiro Goda |
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| 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 Osaka Hai (S2-1) (Naohiro Goda)
S2-1 Osaka Hai
Unfortunately, DANON PREMIUM, Japan Racing Association’s Best 2YO colt in 2017, who won the G2 Kinko Sho on 10th March at Chukyo impressively, despite it was his first start since May 2018, skips here and is now trained for the G1 Yasuda Kinen. Some of Japanese-trained top class middle distance horses will run at Meydan in Dubai on this weekend, and some notable Japanese horses skip this race in order to save their energy for the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin on 28th April. Even though, the field of the G1 Osaka Hai is full of star horses, including two Japanese Derby winners. It proves the group of middle distance runners in Japan is strong and has depth, and I understand this is exciting renewal of the G1 Osaka Hai.
After due consideration of the entrants’ character, I decide to pick EPOCA D'ORO as my first choice. Please look back twelve months ago, EPOCA D'ORO won the G1 Satsuki Sho, the first leg of the Triple Crown for 3YOs taken place at the clock-wise track over 2,000m, decisively by two lengths. Since then until the end the 3YO season, EPOCA D'ORO was beaten in three consecutive races. However, all of them are races further than 2,400m, which was too long for him.
Though EPOCA D'ORO was beaten again and finished fifth in the G2 Nakayama Kinen over 1,800m on 24th February. I understand it was good effort, because it was his first start since October and he was beaten only one and half length. EPOCA D’ORO will run the race at the clock-wise track over 2,000m, the most suitable stage for him, for the first time on Sunday since the G1 Satsuki Sho and I think we need to regard him highly.
2,000m at Hanshin is suitable stage also for AIR WINDSOR, who won the G3 Challenge Cup at the same course and distance as Osaka Hai by three lengths in December. AIR WINSOR, who has started at Hanshin for six times so far, won four of them and finished second twice, therefore, it is obvious that he loves Hanshin. And his performance in the G2 Kinko Sho, where he finished third to DANON PREMIUM, was fairly good. I select AIR WINDSOR as my second choice.
I believe the best horse in the field is BLAST ONEPIECE, who won the G1 Arima Kinen, the year-end championship race in Japan in December, beating strong opponents, such as REY DE ORO and CHEVAL GRAND, both representing Japan in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic this Saturday. However, this is the first start for him since December, and I understand his ultimate goal of the first half of year is the G1 Takarazuka Kinen in June. I reckon BLAST ONEPIECE is still not 100% fit yet at the moment, and I assess him no better than my third choice.
PERSIAN KNIGHT, who finished second to SUAVE RICHARD in this event twelve months ago, and SUNGRAZER, who finished second to REY DE ORO in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn over 2,000m at Tokyo in October, are the horses who are capable to hit the board on Sunday and they are my fourth and fifth choice.
SELECTIONS: 4. EPOCA D'ORO, 9. AIR WINDSOR, 7. BLAST ONEPIECE, 11. PERSIAN KNIGHT & 8. SUNGRAZER
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