 Expert - Naohiro Goda | |
|---|---|
| Naohiro is a leading journalist and commentator in Japan with regular television shows on networks such as NHK Network and Green Channel. He is a regular contributor for newspapers, magazines and websites including Sports Nippon, Weekly Gallop, and netkeiba.com. He also operates a bloodstock business marketing firm. Naohiro is a frequent international racing traveler and a regular visitor to the Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin. | |
Expert Column for Shuka Sho (S1-1) (Naohiro Goda)
S1-1 Shuka Sho
Can DARING TACT win the G1 Shuka Sho to achieve unbeaten sweep of Triple Tiara for 3YO fillies for the first time? It is the prime concern for all looking for the final leg of Triple Tiara on coming Sunday at Kyoto.
The decisive winner of the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) over 1,600m at Hanshin and the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) over 2,400m at Tokyo had summer break at Normandy Farm in Hokkaido and returned at Haruki Sugiyama’s barn at Ritto Training Centre on 2nd September as a stronger and bigger horse than she was in spring. Haruki Sugiyama and Makio Okada of Normandy Thoroughbred Racing Co. Ltd. which owns the filly by EPIPHANEIA, discussed and decided to come straight to the Shuka Sho without having any prep race. It means DARING TACT has not run since 24th May and I understand it could be a matter of concern for punters.
Please do not worry. The previous start of CHRONO GENESIS and ALMOND EYE, winners of the Shuka Sho in last two years, is Yushun Himba and it is a fashionable route in recent years when facilities at private training centres are enhanced. And the workout of DARING TACT on 30th September, when she was breezed for 1,200m and clocked 11.9 seconds for the final 200m, was fantastic and I am sure she is ready to run. DARING TACT is my first choice.
While the last two winners did not have a prep race as mentioned earlier, four of last ten winners of Shuka Sho prepped at the G2 Rose Stakes and all of them finished within first four. And three of last ten winners of Shuka Sho prepped at the G3 Shion Stakes and they finished in first two. Hence, counter horse for DARING TACT should emerge from the G2 Rose Stakes on 20th September at Chukyo and the G3 Shion Stakes at on 12th September at Nakayama.
My second choice is RIA AMELIA, impressive winner of the G2 Rose Stakes. While the filly by DEEP IMPACT has been regarded very highly by the connection from day one, she had temperament issue which hindered her to show true ability at races. However, she was settled nicely at second position in the Rose Stakes and draw clear to score by two lengths. She is now matured mentally and should be able to perform to meet the high expectation now.
Performance of MALTESE DIOSA in the G3 Shion Stakes is as much impressive as RIA AMELIA in the Rose Stakes. She proved herself when she finished second in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies at Hanshin last December and won the G2 Tulip Sho at Hanshin in March. Therefore, Shion Stakes made doubly sure off her quality. MALTESE DIOSA is my third choice.
PALLAS ATHENA, who ran well in the G3 Radio Nikkei Sho, finishing fourth against colts, in prior to runner-up to MALTESE DIOSA in the Shion Stakes, is my fourth choice.
Another interesting runner is the first runner-up of the Rose Stakes MUSICA, who covered final 600m for 34.0 seconds and finished as the second fastest among 18 runners. She is my fifth choice.
SELECTIONS: 13. DARING TACT, 2. RIA AMELIA, 3. MALTESE DIOSA, 16. PALLAS ATHENA & 7. MUSICA
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