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 Yasuda Kinen (S1-1) (Naohiro Goda)

S1-1 Yasuda Kinen

While both of the first and second finishers in Yasuda Kinen in 2021 retired, there are several high class milers from 4YO generation in the field of Yasuda Kinen in 2021. It is the battle between them to become a new leader at mile division in Japan.

My favourite is SONGLINE, 4YO filly trained by Toru Hayashi. She was narrowly beaten in G1 NHK Mile Cup and won G2 Fuji Stakes, both of which are races over the same course and distance as Yasuda Kinen last year. I am sure she is a competitive running against male milers. And her performance at Saudi Arabia on 26th February, when she won G3 1351 Turf Sprint beating CASA CREED, winner of G1 Jaipur Stakes at Belmont Park, is still fresh memory for me. Although she was beaten fifth in G1 Victoria Mile at Tokyo on 15th May, she stumbled at the entrance of far turn and couldn't show herself at her best. I believe she can turn the table on Sunday.

My second choice is SOUL RUSH, who is rising like a skyrocket at mile division. The 4YO colt by RULERHSIP, who belonged to graduation class six months ago, won four races from same number of start since last December, including G2 Yomiuri Milers Cup at Hanshin on 24th April. His form in the Yomiuri Milers Cup should be regarded highly, as he dwelt coming out of the stalls and still managed to grab the first Graded Stakes for him. And he is capable to act well at expected softish ground, as he won allowance race for three time winners at Nakayama on 27th March, when the track condition was soft.

Fillies and mares finished within the first two in last four running of Yasuda Kinen and my third choice is FINE ROUGE, another 4YO filly in the field. She finished second in G1 Victoria Mile and I regard this performance highly, because she clipped heels and stumbled at 400m out.

My fourth choice is ELUSIVE PANTHER, who is an emerging force at mile division, as like SOUL RUSH. The 4YO colt extended the winning streak to four when he won G3 Tokyo Shimbun Hai over the same course and distance as Yasuda Kinen on 6th February. It should be mentioned specially that he covered final 600m for the quickest time in runners in all of last four starts. In case weather forecast is wrong and the ground at Tokyo on Sunday is quick, I elevate his evaluation.   

My fifth choice is VIN DE GARDE, who was narrowly beaten in G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan on 26th March. If he re-produces his best form on Sunday, I believe he has every chance to hit the board.

After due consideration, I decide to exclude SCHNELL MEISTER, who won G1 NHK Mile Cup and finished third in Yasuda Kinen in 2021, from my selections. He was disappointing eighth in G1 Dubai Turf and I feel he could be precocious and had gone through his heyday.  

SELECTIONS: 13. SONGLINE, 14. SOUL RUSH, 7. FINE ROUGE, 8. ELUSIVE PANTHER & 2. VIN DE GARDE

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