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’.

Chukyo Racecourse – Track Analysis (Takamatsunomiya Kinen):

Though smaller in acreage than the Tokyo Racecourse, the left-handed Chukyo Racecourse is still one of the major venues under the Japan Racing Association. The Chukyo turf strip measures 1700m once round, with a homestretch that reaches 412m from the top of it to the finish.

With its wicked corners as compared to Tokyo, and only a 300m stampede from the 1200m start to the first turn, early positioning is tactically imperative – with usually an over-flowed field – in the featured Takamatsunomiya Kinen. Though horses breaking from outside post positions will be slightly disadvantaged, inside-drawn runners with less frontal speed would also get boxed in upon turning for home. In addition, the Chukyo homestretch, likewise to its Tokyo counterpart, ascends towards the finish, and is quite a challenge for front-runners that attempt to wire it all the way home. In general, a 1200m trip at Chukyo does favour forwardly-placed runners, or horses that are poised just off the pace.

In the 2019 running of the Takamatsunomiya Kinen, when the turf was listed as firm, the eventual quinella – MR MELODY and SEIUN KOSEI – were both prompting the main speed, then sneaked up on the rail, in tandem, down the lane, while SHONAN ANTHEM, dropping further back early, followed the inside route likewise to check in for third; in contrast, post-time favourite DANON SMASH, though racing in the clear throughout, simply lost too much ground while pursuing an insuperable outside trip, and could only settle for fourth.

With sunny skies in the Nagoya area that would relinquish by mid-week, considerable rainfall by the weekend would present Chukyo with a sticky turf strip for this year’s Takamatsunomiya Kinen – and should track conditions oblige as such, horses well-documented with good off-going past performances should be 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.