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.

Chukyo Racecourse – Track Analysis (Takamatsunomiya Kinen):

Chukyo Racecourse is an anti-clockwise track. The outer turf track is 1705.9m long, with a 412.5m homestretch. A 150m chute joins at oval track at the top of the backstretch. The width of track is 25m to 30m wide according to the course selection of the day. The inner dirt track is 1530m long, with a 410.7m homestretch.

The turf track is used for the 1200m G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen. Starting gate is set at the early part of the backstretch, and there is a 350m long straight from the starting gate to the entrance of a far turn. With regard to drawing, statistics show that high numbers are preferable and barrier 1 is an unlucky draw. Even LORD KANALOA, winner of Hong Kong Sprint, failed to win this race in 2012, when he started from barrier 1 and finished third.

Beginning 100m is slight upslope, and then, downslope continues, all way through far turn, which is gentle, until 80m after the top of homestretch, begins at 320m out. And final 200m is slight upslope. Track record is 1 minute and 6.7 seconds. It is recognized as a very fair track, where true ability of runners reflects on the result straightforwardly. While home straight is long enough for closers, speedy front runners are able to make all.

Last year’s Takamatsunomiya Kinen was contested on rain-softed ground. RESISTENCIA, who won the G3 Hankyu Hai breaking track record four weeks ago, was supported as favourite. RESISTENCIA, ridden by Suguru Hamanaka, broke well from barrier 16 and was settled at sixth position. Hamanaka started to drive RESISTENCIA at the top of homestretch and RESISTENCIA responded well. DANON SMASH, the second favourite, broke quickly from barrier 14 and tracked RESISTENCIA all the way until the middle of the homestretch. Then, Yuga Kawada on DANON SMASH switched the route, DANON SMASH stretched his legs through far side of RESISTENCIA and worn down RESISTENCIA by neck.

There was no racing at Chukyo for four weeks, from the second week of February to the first week of March, and turf track was rested and maintained. The turf track at Chukyo on the second week of March was quick, and a new track record is established in the G2 Kinko Sho on 13th March, when JACK D’OR clocked 1 minute 57.2 seconds in the 2000m event.

Occasional Rain is forecasted through the week at the area of Chukyo Racecourse. But it is expected the ground is good and should have a proper cushion on this year’s Takamatsunomiya Kinen.

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