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 (Tenno Sho Autumn):

Tokyo Racecourse is an anti-clockwise oval track with two chutes that rejoin the main course for 1800m and 2000m races respectively. One of the renowned feature for Tokyo Racecourse is its extended homestretch over 525.9m, which is the second longest in JRA’s tracks, only after outer track at Niigata. In addition, the homestretch is going uphill and the final 300m is the highest point, front runners usually find it difficult to make all if they are fail to run away from the field early in the straight. Overall, Tokyo Racecourse is recognized as a fair and straightforward track, where true ability of runners reflects to the result genuinely.

For the 2000m Tenno Sho Autumn, the starting gate is set in one of the chutes. The first bend begins at only 130m from the starting gate. While wide draw is a disadvantage at this course in general, however, the field size for this year’s Tenno Sho Autumn is not so big, so we may not need to worry about barrier number so much. The homestretch is 525.9m long and 160m long sharp rise, with difference in height of 2m, begins at 66m from the top of homestretch. Final 300m is flat. Track record is 1 minutes and 56.1 seconds, established by TOSEN JORDAN, when he won Tenno Sho Autumn in 2011. Runners who have sharp late kick tend to obtain satisfactory results at this course.

Last year’s Tenno Sho Autumn was contested on firm turf. CONTRAIL, 4YO colt by DEEP IMPACT, was favourite in 16 runners’ field. While the tempo of race was moderate, as they clocked 48.2 seconds at 800m and 60.5 seconds at 1000m, GRAN ALEGRIA tracked a leader from second position, EFFORIA was settled at sixth position, and CONTRAIL with Yuichi Fukunaga on saddle was settled at ninth position. GRAN ALEGRIA hit the front at top of the homestretch and EFFORIA got ahead of GRAN ALEGRIA at 150m out. CONTRAIL delivered strong challenge at the final stage, covering the final 600m for 33 seconds, the quickest in 16 runners, however, EFFORIA held off CONTRAIL to win by one length. GRAN ALEGRIA finished third, being a head behind CONTRAIL. EFFORIA is the third 3YO winner of Tenno Sho Autumn, after BUBBLE GUM FELLOW in 1996 and SYMBOLI KRIS S in 2002.

The autumn meeting at Tokyo started on 8th October, and the day of Tenno Sho Autumn is the ninth day of the meeting. Weekly weather forecast suggests that rain arrives early this week (24th to 26th Oct) at Tokyo. We need to monitor closely if it would have an impact on track condition on the weekend.

Disclaimer:
The above content and information are the personal views and/or opinions of each individual writer and do not represent the views of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its subsidiaries (together, the "HKJC"). The content and information are provided by the writers solely for entertainment purpose only, and should not be construed as a suggestion for anyone to place any bet nor should they be taken and/or relied upon as advice of any kind. The above content and information have not been verified, confirmed and/or endorsed by HKJC and HKJC shall not be liable to any person for any loss or damage suffered by such person as a result of any use or reliance of the above content or information.

HKJC shall not be required to give and does not give any warranty, whether express or implied, arising out of or in connection with the content or information. The Club disclaims any responsibility and accepts no liability (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for any direct or indirect loss of damage arising from any inaccuracies, omission or typographical errors that may be contained therein. The Club also does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or fitness for purpose of any such information.