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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.

Nakayama Racecourse – Track Analysis (Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) Day):

As a radically undulating course, with its share of wicked corners and short stretch runs, Nakayama Racecourse, to the east of Tokyo, where races were run since 1920 – despite a majority of G1 prizes now being scheduled at Tokyo – is still home to several G1 events including the Sprinters Stakes, Arima Kinen, and Hopeful Stakes, likewise the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), the first leg of the Japanese Triple Crown for 3YOs traditionally run in April.

Speaking of the 2000m trip for both the featured Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) and the Kanozan Tokubetsu, runners will travel about 400m of the homestretch before hitting the clubhouse turn; that being said, with full fields going post-ward, runners drawing high numbers need to tuck back behind other horses and save ground, or will invariably be floated wide. Then, passing the post for the first time with one lap still to go, runners will race slightly uphill – somewhat similar to the clubhouse turn at Happy Valley – before rolling subtly downhill through backstretch until about 900m out.

On the other hand, at roughly 400m long, the final corner at Nakayama is deceptively sweeping, but actually quite sharp just before turning for home. Therefore, deep closers may have to whip around the field and avoid traffic. Also, with a mere 300m stretch drive that tucks impishly back up from 200m out, then all the way to the finish, it is common to see many front-runners fading quick in the final stage. Horses from off the pace need to make their moves, preferably by the 200m marker or leave themselves too much to do down the lane. Generally, this 2000m trip favours closers with sustained acceleration.

To the rest of the day’s undercard, runners for the 1600m Sumidagawa Tokubetsu will travel through a 240m straight before hitting the first turn, then tracing precisely the 1200m trip back home. On good or firm goings, closers from out wide usually have an edge. Then, for the 2500m Sunshine Stakes, runners are tackling roughly the same course as the 2000m trip – on top of breaking into a right-hander right out of the gate.

On to the dirt oval, both the Keiyo Stakes and 4yo and up 1 win are 1200m, with a 400m-plus backstretch run before reaching the first turn, front-runners would often dazzle all the way home. Meanwhile, the 3yo 1 win and 4yo and up 1 win over 1,800m are two-turn races featuring a 300m stretch run before hitting the clubhouse turn, together with an uncontested early pace, even a bad stall from out wide should not hurt as much.

In the 2020 edition of this G1 classic contested on good goings, CONTRAIL, breaking from an inside post position, trailed the field early on the rail, then picked up its competition, one by one on the far outside while turning for home, and packed a big punch down the stretch to run down the ground-saving SALIOS to reign supreme, whereas GALORE CREEK, Lyle Hewitson up, raced prominently and showed the way for CONTRAIL most of the way, but faded late, and could only settle for third.

With generally sunny skies, yet intermittent showers teasing the Tokyo area, all through the weekend, Nakayama will hopefully be good to firm comes this Sunday.

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