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’.

Epsom Racecourse – Track Analysis (Derby Stakes Day):

As one of the most fabled switch-back courses in the world, fields for the Derby Stakes at Epsom – along with the Out of The Ordinary Handicap Stakes going the same distance on the undercard – some 2405m out from racing immortality, have to tackle an entirely uphill run right in the first 1200m of this trip, ascending steadily by 45m, all the way up to the top of the hill. Catching a mere breather in between, the field then bears continuously left and steeply downhill to meet the notorious Tattenham Corner, a wickedly tight turn that has caught many a clumsy runner with less balance to lose momentum – and even stumble – over the years. Turning for home, runners will set sail for classic supremacy through the 750m stretch run that rolls continuously downhill. Over-viewing this course, with its tight turns and daunting slopes, should the going be firm, front-runners will most likely be favoured.

In the 2018 running of the Derby Stakes, when the turf was listed as good, the eventual tierce comprising of MASAR, DEE EX BEE and ROARING LION were all laying midfield; accelerating promptly at the top of the stretch, MASAR ever so slightly got the first jump, took command at 400m out, then held off both DEE EX BEE and ROARING LION to snatch the Blue Riband.

On the rest of the day’s contests, both the Princess Elizabeth Stakes and the Diomed Stakes at 1703m, and the 2015m Private Banking Handicap Stakes, will all follow roughly the same route as the Derby Stakes, only that they will have a shorter backside to negotiate, and therefore race uphill much more rapidly after the break. Meanwhile, runners for the 1203m Asset Management Handicap Stakes will break from a chute that rejoins the track in a wicked angle just off the Tattenham Corner; therefore, horses drawing high numbers will have their work cut out for them. As for the exhilarating 1000m 'Dash' Handicap Stakes that often attracts big fields, runners on the grandstand side are usually favored; that being said, horses missing the first jump or racing sluggish early would then get boxed in when their competition drops towards the rail; truly, closers breaking from the far side that wait to attack with second-over runs do often catch their competition out cold, thus a good study on individual starter’s running styles is certainly beneficial.

With sunny skies that will extend towards Saturday, this year’s edition of the Derby Stakes Day will most likely be staged on firm ground, and it would be a gargantuan task for any deep closer to reel in his competition, and speed, classy horses with a penchant to tack to the pace are still much preferred in the selections.

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