 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. | |
Hanshin Racecourse – Track Analysis (Mile Championship):
Hanshin Racecourse, always racing clockwise, is comprised of three tracks, including the turf track in the outside, the dirt track in the middle and the steeplechase course from inside. One of the characteristics for the turf in Hanshin is that either inner bend or outer bend will be used according to the distance of the races when the horses turning for home. For the outer bend, the track is 2089m long, with a 473.6m homestretch, which is the third-longest in JRA’s tracks, after Niigata and Tokyo. The track using the inner bend is 1689m long, with a 356.5m homestretch. The dirt track is 1517.6m long, with a 352.7m long homestretch. There are two chutes that rejoin the main course at the top of both the backstretch and the homestretch.
Although Mile Championship is usually conducted at Kyoto Racecourse, Kyoto is temporarily closed due to renovation and the race has been changed to conduct at Hanshin since 2020.
Outer turf track is used for the 1600m Mile Championship. Starting gate is set at the early part of backstretch and there is a 444m straight course from the starting gate to the entrance of far turn. Statistics prove that middle numbers are favourable at this course. Runners have to travel slightly downslope for the beginning 230m and suddenly uphill for next 50m. The 682.4m long far turn is gentle. Finally, the field will climb up the 120m sharp rise with the height of 1.8m in the last 200m. While Hanshin is a fair track, where true ability of runners reflects on the result straightforwardly, the tempo tends to be moderate for 1600m races and the turn of foot could be the crucial factor at the closing stage.
Last year’s Mile Championship was contested on firm turf. RESISTENCIA set slow pace at the front, and the hot favourite GRAN ALEGRIA who often comes from far behind, left starting gate quickly and was settled at the fifth position in 17 runners’ field, while SALIOS, the second favourite, was at the thirteenth position. The pace was picked up at 600m out, GRAN ALEGRIA was still fifth at the top of the homestretch. Christophe Lemaire, jockey of GRAN ALEGRIA, started to drive at 400m pole and GRAN ALEGRIA, who made a quick move, hit the front at 80m to go. INDY CHAMP, who was settled at eighth position, delivered strong challenge on the homestretch, but GRAN ALEGRIA held him off by three quarters of length. The runners who used sharp acceleration on the homestretch finished first and second. ADMIRE MARS, who obtained a forward position in the early stages, was unable to sustain effort and only finished third. SALIOS, who covered the final 600m for 33.1 seconds, the quickest in 17 runners, finished fifth, and RESISTENCIA, who tired on the homestretch, finished eighth.
The area of Hanshin has been mostly dry weather in November and track condition in the previous two weekends was firm on turf and fast at dirt. No rain is expected until the race day, therefore the turf track on the race day should be firm going.
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