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, some 20 km to the south of London, fields for the Derby Stakes and the Oaks Stakes at Epsom, some 2405m 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 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.

To the rest of the day’s contests, runners for the 1203m Woodcote Stakes, and both the 1403m Surrey Stakes and the 4yo+ 76-95 Handicap, will break from a chute that rejoins the track in a wicked angle just off the Tattenham Corner; thus horses drawing high numbers will have their work cut out for them. Meanwhile, both the 1703m Princess Elizabeth Stakes and the 2015m 4yo+ Handicap will 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.

In the 2019 running of the Derby Stakes, when the turf was listed as good to firm, ANTHONY VAN DYCK, under Seamie Heffernan’s shrewd reinsmanship, emerged as the real deal from the seven-deep Coolmore brigade by rating midfield early, before unleashing a bold run down the lane, first from out wide, then switched inside towards the rail to snatch the Blue Riband, whereas stablemate JAPAN, held up towards rear and still racing eleventh off Tattenham Corner, stormed home late to check in third, and Hamdan Al Maktoum’s MADHMOON, held back early likewise, took command too soon with about 200m still to go, was out-gamed by the race winner in the final strides, and could only hold on for second.

With teasing showers that will extend towards Saturday, this year’s edition of the Derby Stakes Day may be staged on softer ground, and it would be a gargantuan task for speed horses up front to keep their competition at bay.

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