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 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (S2-1) (Naohiro Goda)

S2-1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen

While we are missing PIXIE KNIGHT, who won G1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama last October and was involved in spill in G1 Hong Kong Sprint last December, this is an interesting renewal of Takamatsunomiya Kinen, as the field contains top sprinters from five different generations.

First five starts of NARAN HULEG were races at dirt track and it is understandable why the trainer selected the dirt races for NARAN HULEG, because he is by GOLD ALLURE, JRA Best Dirt Horse in 2002, and is out of KELLEY'S BEAUTY, who won four dirt races at NAR. However, NARAN HULEG was an ordinary horse at dirt and proved to be a quick horse on grass eventually.

NARAN HULEG has been running consistently at the highest level of sprint division in the last four starts, using devastating late kick. Most recently, NARAN HULEG finished second in G3 Ocean Stakes at Nakayama on 5th March and I regard this performance very highly. He was still at rear of the field at 600m pole and delivered the strongest challenge on homestretch, covering final 600m for 33.5 seconds, which is the quickest of 15 runners. As we consider the headwind was very strong throughout homestretch at Nakayama on the day, his performance is incredible and I believe the time has come for the 6YO to win a major title. My first pick is NARAN HULEG.

RESISTENCIA is a very reliable sprinter, who finished second in three G1 Stakes over 1,200m in 2021, including the G1 Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin on 12th December. While this is the first start for her since then, I am not worried about it at all, because she is a horse who does not need a prep race. For example, she won G3 Hankyu Hai on 28th February 2021, which was the first start since G1 Mile Championship on 22nd November 2020. And she won G2 Centaur Stakes on 12th September 2021, which was the first start since G1 Victoria Mile on 16th May 2021. RESISTENCIA is my second choice.

GRENADIER GUARDS won G2 Hanshin Cup on 25th December, which is “Win, And You’re In” for G3 1351 Turf Sprint at King Abdulaziz on 26th February, however, the connections turned down the invitation from the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, as they decided to take a route from G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo in March to G1 Chairman‘s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin in April. Unfortunately, no international runner is now able to run the races on Hong Kong Champions Day and Takamatsunomiya Kinen is the one and only target for GRENADIER GUARDS during the first half of 2022. GRENADIER GUARDS is my third choice.

Although MEIKEI YELL is well-known as a difficult horse, her performance in G3 Silk Road Stakes over the same course and distance as Takamatsunomiya Kinen on 30th January, which she won by a length, suggests that her mentality is now improving. MEIKEI YELL is my fourth choice.

GENDARME, who finished fourth in G2 Centaur Stakes over the same course and distance as Takamatsunomiya Kinen last September and won G3 Ocean Stakes at Nakayama on 5th March, is my fifth choice.

SELECTIONS:2. NARAN HULEG, 7. RESISTENCIA, 18. GRENADIER GUARDS, 17. MEIKEI YELL & 8. GENDARME

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