Leung Ho Yin, Simon's Bio
Simon is a well respected full-time thoroughbred racing commentator specializing in pedigree and overseas international racing. He is currently the presenter on several racing television programmes including, ‘Horse Racing – Results’, ‘Simulcast Preview'’ and Simulcast oversea races.

Kyoto Racecourse – Track Analysis (Shuka Sho):

With no significant undulations, yet a sprawling venue with extended stretch runs, the Kyoto Racecourse, featuring various tracks to cater for turf, dirt and even steeplechases, has the 1950m turf strip – unquestionably for flat racing – that envelops all other facilities. Other than a gentle uphill run at the 1200m marker, just before hitting the turn, and then rolling slightly downhill from about 800m out, this course is generally leveled, and has a 400m stretch run to the finish.

For the featured 2000m Shuka Sho, fillies will fly by the grandstand for the first time for about 300m before hitting the first turn, then racing towards the 1000m marker, through the aforementioned undulations, before turning for home. Again, with such a long stretch run, this trip still finds the best horse that can both handle a legit pace and take the field home; unless the track gets uncharacteristically biased on the day, stall assignments usually cast minimal bearings on winning chances.

In the 2019 running of the Shuka Sho contested on firm turf, CHRONO GENESIS and CURREN BOUQUETD'OR, the eventual quinella, were both tracking the leader in perfect striking positions before launching their bids at the top of the lane, with CHRONO GENESIS in particular delivering stronger late pluck to get the job done, while SHIGERU PINK DIA, rallying from way back and out wide, closed in for third.

Despite some teasing rain through Thursday and Friday, sunny skies will return timely for the weekend in the Kyoto area, and this year’s running of the Shuka Sho would still be contested on a good goings; therefore, runners that draw well, save ground and bid late are still to be favoured.

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