 Leung Ho Yin, Simon's Bio | |
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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. | |
Chantilly Racecourse – Track Analysis (Prix de Diane):
Chantilly, yet another fabled racing venue and training centre in the Paris area, is traditionally home to both the Prix du Jockey Club and the Prix de Diane. However, since 1841, the 2100m distance for this premier fillies’ classic in France has never been altered.
Similar to ParisLongchamp, Chantilly is such a deceiving strip that sees no end from rail to rail. For the 2100m Prix de Diane field to navigate this clockwise course, sophomore fillies will jockey for positions through an 800m straight before hitting the first right-hander in the form of a brief, slightly ascending elbow. Then, through another 200m straight, the field will face a tight, wicked far turn that has seen many starters to lose precious ground in risking a prematurely wide move. Finally, the field will roll full-tilt in one grueling dog-fight of a 600m stretch run, which is definitely a genuine test of both acceleration and stamina.
Last year’s Prix de Diane contested on good to soft turf, FANCY BLUE, racing close up and hounding ALPINE STAR early, engaged the leader upons swinging for home, and these two indeed made it a dog-fight of their own, all the way to the finish, and FANCY BLUE, driven and kept on well when hard pressed in the final stage, put her nose in front on the line to score, while PEACEFUL, stalking just off the first flight in a sweet spot, was hurt by the slow pace, and could not overhaul the front pair, settling for third by just an agonizing neck.
Reviewing the G1 Prix du Jockey Club, also ran at Chantilly, when the turf was listed as soft early this June, and the eventual tierce all drew inside posts, winner ST MARK’S BASILICA and third-placed MILLEBOSC, both poised so cleverly in the pocket just behind the leaders, streaked through the gaps down the stretch, whereas SEALIWAY, though losing ground on the outside, still had some coverage early, and managed to out-game MILLEBOSC late for second.
With continued precipitation that will extend through Sunday, this year’s running of the Prix de Diane would be contested over an off track. If the moisture can be kept off, the strip would still be conductive to speed; otherwise front-runners may find it challenging to secure their lead from gate to finish.
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