 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 Yasuda Kinen (S1-1) (Naohiro Goda)
S1-1 Yasuda Kinen
Although horse racing supporters in Japan desired strongly that GOLDEN SIXTY, a super star in Hong Kong, might come to Japan for G1 Yasuda Kinen, which was won by FAIRY KING PRAWN in 2000 and BULLISH LUCK in 2006, travel restrictions caused by pandemic shattered the dream and all runners in the 71st running of the G1 Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo on 6th June are Japanese-trained horses.
It is still an exciting renewal as the field contains six G1 winners.
My favourite is GRAN ALEGRIA, who tries to become the fourth horse to complete the back-to-back victory of Yasuda Kinen. The 5YO mare won the G1 Victoria Mile over the same course and distance as Yasuda Kinen on 16th May by four lengths, which is ultra-impressive.
Although it is a matter of concern that Yasuda Kinen comes only three weeks after G1 Victoria Mile. GRAN ALEGRIA has matured and is much stronger than two years ago, when she finished fourth and was demoted fifth, due to causing interference in the G1 NHK Mile Cup in 2019, which came four weeks after the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas).
My second choice is LAUDA SION, winner of the G1 NHK Mile Cup over the same course and distance as Yasuda Kinen in 2020. Though this 4YO colt by REAL IMPACT, winner of G1 Yasuda Kinen in 2011, lost his form last autumn and earlier this year, he won G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup at Tokyo on 15th May and proved that he is bouncing back. He likes the track at Tokyo, where he started four times with three wins and one second.
Very interesting runner in the field of Yasuda Kinen is SCHNELL MEISTER, winner of the G1 NHK Mile Cup on 9th May. As the colt by KINGMAN is a 3YO, he carries 9lbs less than the older horses, and I reckon it is a big advantage. REAL IMPACT won the G1 Yasuda Kinen in 2011 when he was a 3YO. SCHNELL MEISTER is my third choice.
SALIOS was beaten fifth in G1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin on 4th April, when he struggled to handle the wet track. SALIOS won the G3 Saudi Arabia Royal Cup over the same course and distance as G1 Yasuda Kinen in 2019 and the winning time, 1 minute and 32.7 seconds was the fastest ever recorded by 2YO over 1,600m at Tokyo. And he likes the track in Tokyo where he started four times with three wins and one second. SALIOS is my fourth choice.
INDY CHAMP, winner of G1 Yasuda Kinen in 2019, is still keeping his top form although he is now 6YO. He was runner-up to GRAN ALEGRIA in G1 Mile Championship in 2020, beaten by three quarters of length, and finished a good third in G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo on 28th March although the trip was too short for him. I think INDY CHAMP has chance to finish within the first five on Sunday’s 1,600m race.
SELECTIONS: 5. GRAN ALEGRIA, 7. LAUDA SION, 13. SCHNELL MEISTER, 1. SALIOS & 8. INDY CHAMP
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