 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 (Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby)):
Tokyo Racecourse is an anti-clockwise oval track. Outer turf track is 2083.1m long, with 525.9m homestretch, which is the second longest in JRA’s tracks after Niigata. Backstretch is 400m long. There are two chutes to set the stalls for races over 1800m and 2000m. The width of the course is the widest in JRA’s tracks. The bend is gentle and it is described as “galloping course”. While it is recognized in general that the true ability of runners reflects on the results, it is the tendency that the runners who are off the pace during former part of race and deliver strong challenge on homestretch make good showing at Tokyo Racecourse. Inner dirt track is 1899m long, with 501.6m homestretch, the last 200m to finishing line on the homestretch is the highest point, and the middle of the far turn to the top of homestretch is the lowest point of the course.
G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) is conducted at the 2400m turf course, same as the G1 Yushun Himba on the previous weekend and G1 Japan Cup in November. Starting gate is set at 317m before the finishing line on the homestretch and the distance from the starting gate to the beginning of the near turn is 350m. Runners have plenty of time to seek for their favourable position. Statistics show outside draw is not favourable at this course as WAGNERIAN, winner in 2018, is only one horse in the last ten years, jumped from barrier 15 and outer, and finished within the first two in this race.
There is a sharp rise in the middle of the backstretch with difference in height of 1.5m which comes suddenly after the 600m downslope beginning at the early part of the near turn. Meanwhile, there is a 160m long sharp rise begins from the top of the homestretch, although the final 300m is flat. Track record is 2 minutes and 20.6 seconds, established by ALMOND EYE, when she won Japan Cup in 2018. While it is very fair track, where true ability of runners reflects on the result straightforwardly, runners are required both speed and stamina. It is not easy to make all and sharp acceleration in the final part of the race could be a decisive factor at this course.
Last year’s Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) contested on firm turf. BATHRAT LEON, who jumped from the widest draw, set the pace in front. EFFORIA tracked leaders from fourth position and SANOTO REINAS was settled at seventh position. SATONO REINAS made a big move at backstretch and hit the front at middle of far turn. EFFORIA accelerated well as he got into homestretch and hit the front at 300m out. SHAHRYAR was still at the eleventh position at the top of homestretch and delivered the strongest challenge on homestretch. SHAHRYAR caught EFFORIA just at the wire and won by a nose. SATONO REINAS got tired at a 200m pole and finished fifth.
Current meeting in Tokyo started on 23rd April and this Sunday is the twelfth meeting. Turf is still kept in fresh condition and the ground keeps good cushion, while a part of backstretch and a part of homestretch is becoming slightly rough. For the weather forecast, it is partly cloudy in the raceday, the ground should be good.
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