 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. | |
Hanshin Racecourse – Track Analysis (Queen Elizabeth II Cup Day):
Hanshin Racecourse, always racing clockwise, is comprised of three tracks, including the turf track in the outside, the dirt track in the middle and the steeplechase course from inside. One of the characteristics for the turf in Hanshin is that either inner bend or outer bend will be used according to the distance of the races when the horses turning for home. For the outer bend, the track is 2089m long, with a 473.6m homestretch, which is the third-longest in JRA’s tracks, after Niigata and Tokyo. The track using the inner bend is 1689m long, with a 356.5m homestretch. The dirt track is 1517.6m long, with a 352.7m long homestretch. There are two chutes that rejoin the main course at the top of both the backstretch and the homestretch.
The G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup is usually taken place at Kyoto Racecourse. However, as renovation work is carried out at Kyoto since 2020, this race has been transferred to Hanshin from 2020 to 2022. Kyoto will be re-opened in 2023 and this race moves back afterwards. This year, three turf races and four dirt races from the Queen Elizabeth II Cup Day will be simulcast to Hong Kong.
The feature race Queen Elizabeth II Cup and one of the 3yo and up 2 wins are over 2200m on turf, which inner bend will be used. The starting gate sets at the top of the homestretch, and there is a 525m long straight from the starting gate to the entrance of near turn. Runners will have plenty of time to find their favourable position and the statistic shows there is a few draw bias, except barrier 1 on the rail. For example, the G1 Takarazuka Kinen is also taken place at 2200m over this course in June, and barrier 1 has never sent a winner of Takarazuka Kinen for more than twenty years. Since the first 300m from the starting gate is downslope, tempo of the race tends to be moderate at this point. The course is flat from near turn, all way through backstretch, until 600m out. The field will travel for 400m long down slope, with 2m difference in height, begins at 600m pole. And the runners go through the sharp rise again, which begins 200m before the finishing line. It is recognized as a tough course, as runners go through the sharp rise on homestretch twice, and stamina is more important than speed. Statistic shows that runners who follows the pace run better than closers.
The 2000m Kigiku Sho travels the same route as 2200m. The only difference is that the starting gate is set at 325m before the first turn. It is a tough course for 2YOs as they go through the sharp rise, which begins 200m before the finishing line, twice during the race and stamina is more important than speed.
For the dirt races, the starting gate of the 2000m 3yo and up 2 wins is set in the chute before the entrance of the homestretch of the inner bend, and the surface of initial 80m is on turf. There is a 500m long straight from the starting gate to the entrance of near turn. Statistics show there is no draw bias. Tempo could be fast at the beginning of races and slowed down at near turn. Runners who follow the pace tend to run better than closers.
The 1800m 3yo and up 1 win travel the similar route with the 2000m. However, the starting gate is set at the early part of the homestretch, and the distance to the entrance of the near turn is 303m. Statistic shows that barrier 1 and 2 are not favourable. Tempo tends to be moderate at this course. As runners go through sharp rise on homestretch twice. Power is more important trail than speed at this course.
For the 1400m Doncaster Cup, starting gate is set on turf in the chute at the entrance of the backstretch, and the distance between the starting gate and the far turn is 542m. In general, wide draw is preferable. Front runners and the runners who follow the pace are doing better at this course, provided they have enough stamina to overcome the sharp rise at middle of homestretch.
The 1200m Muromachi Stakes route is similar to the 1400m, the only difference is that the distance from the starting gate to entrance of far turn is 342m. As it is a sprint race, the pace tends to be strong enough from the beginning for closers to challenge on the homestretch.
Last year’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup was conducted on a firm turf. While the tempo of race was moderate, LEI PAPALE, 4YO filly who won G1 Osaka Hai back in April, and AKAITORINO MUSUME tracked leaders from fourth and fifth position. LEI PAPALE started to make move at 800m pole and hit the front at top of homestretch. However, LEI PAPALE, who could not keep the momentum, started to fade at a 200m pole and finished sixth. AKAI ITO, who was settled at 13th position in 17 runners’ field, delivered the strongest challenge on homestretch, covering final 600m for 35.7 seconds, and drew clear to win by two lengths. STELLARIA, finished second.
Autumn meeting at Hanshin started on 8th October. While the day of Queen Elizabeth II Cup is the 13th live meeting there, turf track is still keeping good cushion. Area of Hanshin Racecourse had been dry in last ten days of October and turf course was watered occasionally. The weather forecast suggests that dry and mostly sunny days are expected until the raceday. It is likely that going is firm or fast at Hanshin on 13th November.
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