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’.

ParisLongchamp Racecourse – Track Analysis (Poule d'Essai des Poulains Day):

Internationally acclaimed as the home of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the ParisLongchamp Racecourse – sitting right by the Seine – features the unmistakably right-handed, 2750m turf course, with a 1000m chute that streaks right through the infield, needless to mention its ample track width that easily caters for any big field on any day.

For this weekend’s featured classics – the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, both going for 1600m – the sophomore colts and fillies will tackle first and foremost a 300m uphill climb towards the top end of the backstretch before hitting the first turn. With usual full fields of 10 or more negotiating such an abbreviated stretch run early, positioning is tantamount, and outside-drawn runners would inevitably be floated wide. Then rolling immediately downhill, and another swift 400m bend, not before the runners travel through that wicked 400m elbow, or false straight – where they are in fact ever so subtly bracing on their right leads – would they finally reach the 450m homestretch. With the elbow adding up to a 850m final section that often facilitates wide-open stretch battles, it requires a gargantuan effort for any front-runners to make it all in the clear, while a rail-skimming drive or a wide move from the clouds would fare just as preferred from off the speed.

Meanwhile, fields of the 1850m 3yo Claiming, and the 2000m Class 2 Handicap, though similar to the two classics, do have more real property on the backside to find their choice spots through the early stages, thus stall assignments would bear slightly less weight; whereas in the 1400m Prix Maurice Zilber, horses will actually break from the outskirts of the course, then navigate through a 400m straight before rejoining the elbow. With a sweeping bend likewise, a wide stall is still manageable – unless for big fields. Such is nevertheless a less predictable case for the Prix de Saint-Georges, a brazen 1000m dash that can play out in any number of ways on the infield chute; all that said, runners rallying from off the pace through the middle parts of this strip would generally get an edge.

In the 2018 running of the Poule d'Essai des Poulains, when the turf strip was playing fair in general, OLMEDO, given a seamless ride by Cristian Demuro, overhauled the entire field from out wide and way off the pace to reign supreme; whereas HEY GAMAN was sent forward early by James Doyle, stayed there for most of the strip and held on for second; the wily Christophe Soumillon, who scooted DICE ROLL through the pack with a rail-scraping drive, could only settle for third in this opening classic of the French flat season.

With intermittent showers teasing the Paris area as of late – of which would give way back to some sunshine just in time on Sunday – a slow strip would still be on deck for ParisLongchamp this weekend, which is certainly a game-changer on race selections. In general, forwardly-placed runners do enjoy a slight advantage on good to firm ground, yet should the footing goes deep, soft-lovers with late acceleration would be much preferred.

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.