 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 (Yasuda Kinen)):
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 the 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 Yasuda Kinen is conducted at the 1600m turf course. Starting gate is set at the top of the backstretch and distance from the starting gate to the entrance of far turn is 550m. While it is analyzed there is no draw bias, statistics shows middle numbers are preferable. Tempo tends to be moderate at this course. The distance from the exit of far turn to winning post is 525.9m. 160m long sharp rise, with difference in height of 2m, begins at around 400m to 300m from home. Final 300m is flat. Track record is 1 minute and 30.5 seconds. WHILE LOGOTYPE completed wire-to-wire victory in Yasuda Kinen in 2016, it is tendency that closers who have strong late-kick enjoy success at this course. And this is recognized as “tough mile”, and is analyzed runners are required stamina to stay 2000m, even though the actual distance is 1600m.
Last year’s Yasuda Kinen was conducted at firm going track. DAIWA CAGNEY set the pace at front. GRAN ALEGRIA, with Christophe Lemaire on the iron, was settled at the 11th position and the eventual winner DANON KINGLY was settled at the 8th position. GRAN ALEGRIA delivered strong challenge, as usual, on homestretch, covering final 600m for 32.9 seconds, though, DANON KINGLY performed sharper and stronger at the closing stage of race, and arrived at the wire being ahead of GRAN GLEGRIA, who finished second. This was fourth Graded Stakes and first G1 title for DANON KINGLY.
Current meeting at Tokyo started on 23rd April and Yasuda Kinen is the 14th 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 rough. As rain is forecasted at the area of Tokyo Racecourse days before the Yasuda Kinen, it is expected the turf track will be soft. Weather at this season is changeable and please be advised to pay attention on weather update during the week leading up to Yasuda Kinen.
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