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.

Tokyo Racecourse – Track Analysis (Tenno Sho Autumn):

Tokyo Racecourse is an anti-clockwise oval track with two chutes that rejoin the main course for 1800m and 2000m races respectively. One of the renowned feature for Tokyo Racecourse is its extended homestretch over 525.9m, which is the second longest in JRA’s tracks, only after outer track at Niigata. In addition, the homestretch is going uphill and the final 300m is the highest point, front runners usually find it difficult to make all if they are fail to run away from the field early in the straight. Overall, Tokyo Racecourse is recognized as a fair and straightforward track, where true ability of runners reflects to the result genuinely.            

For the 2000m Tenno Sho Autumn, the starting gate is set in one of the chutes. The first bend begins at only 130m from the starting gate. Those who break from out wide have to be gunned to the front and snatch the rail quick, or taken up behind horses and find cover, either way, to save ground. Otherwise, there is the risk that they may be trapped wide throughout the whole race. So wide draw is obviously a disadvantage. After that, runners travel the whole backstretch for 400m and hit the far turn for home. There is a 160m sharp rise, with difference in height of 2m, starting the beginning of the homestretch. Runners with strong acceleration is highly preferred. 

Last year’s Tenno Sho Autumn contested on firm track. While DANON PREMIUM set moderate pace and lap time at 1000m was 60.5 seconds, ALMOND EYE, tracked leaders from the fourth position, Christophe Lemaire on saddle started to drive at 300m to go and ALMOND EYE, who responded well, hit the front at 120m out. Fast-finishing FIEREMENT, who was settled at tenth in twelve runners’ field and covered the final 600m for 32.7 seconds, the fastest in twelve runners, pursued hotly at the final stage of race, but ALMOND EYE held off to win by half a length. CHRONO GENESIS, who delivered impressive challenge on the homestretch, finished third and DANON PREMIUM, whose tank became empty at 100m out, finished fourth. 

Autumn meeting at Tokyo started on 9th October. After dry weather made firm and quick ground on first three meetings, there was overnight rain on 16th Oct and track condition on the day after was good to soft. Then, it dried up though the week and the track on last weekend was firm.

It is forecasted a small amount of rain arrive at Tokyo before this Wednesday, but it should have little effect on track condition as the sunshine will return from Thursday. Therefore, firm and quick ground is expected on race day. 

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