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’.

Caulfield Racecourse – Track Analysis (Caulfield Cup Day):

Besides Moonee Valley, the Caulfield Racecourse is yet another track in Melbourne so intimidatingly characterized of its tight turns and short stretch runs. Featuring mainly of short straights around this turf strip, forwardly-placed horses, disregarding distance, often get a slight edge, while runners drawn wide would also find an ideal trip by hustling right out of the gate and snatching the rail quick to prompt the lead, or sticking with the first flight along the "two path" as soon as possible.

With full fields going to the post almost every year in the featured 2400m Caulfield Cup, positioning is imperative when runners go by the judge for the first time and scramble for the first turn. Late closers saving ground early may soon be pitched in tight quarters head-long into the final furlong; together with a short stretch that goes just under a 370m from the top of the lane to the finish, the 800m marker is invariably the for runners to make their moves, whereas riders need to look for a smart opening to slice through before turning for home, or would find themselves boxed in with nowhere to go otherwise. In contrast, with a left-hander almost immediately after the break, coupled with its usual fast pace, runners drawn out wide for the 1400m Tristarc Stakes are clearly in a tough spot, as they are literally losing ground right from the go.

In the 2018 running of Caulfield Cup, while both were tracking the leaders soon after the break, BEST SOLUTION took command first at the 600m marker before holding off HOMESMAN and reigned supreme, whereas THE CLIFFSOFMOHER, from his mid-pack position early, stormed home with a lovely but late surge, and was only third-best on the day.

Reviewing the recent meeting at Caulfield on 12th October, while the going was good, and no portable rail was up, runners saving ground were getting a slight edge. With continued showers in the Melbourne area that will give way to sunny skies just in time on Saturday, this year's renewal of the Caulfield Cup Day would still hopefully be contested on good to firm goings.

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