 Expert - Naohiro Goda | |
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| 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 Mile Championship (S1-1) (Naohiro Goda)
S1-1 Mile Championship
Picture of G1 Mile Championship is similar to G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup a week ago and it is very interesting to see how young milers who are rising new powers compete against reigning old powers.
As you look back result of the last five running of Mile Championship, 5 out of 15 first three finishers were 3YOs. And all those five 3YOs had finished within the first two in the Graded Stakes. Therefore, the two 3YO colts - DANON SCORPION by LORD KANALOA, winner of G1 NHK Mile Cup, and SERIFOS by DAIWA MAJOR, second finisher in G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, are the qualified horses to finish within the first three in Mile Championship. Although I include both of them in the list of my selections, they are neither my favourite nor second favourite, as I assess reigning old powers in this year’s field of Mile Championship are strong enough to repel 3YOs.
My first choice is SODASHI, 4YO filly by KUROFUNE. The well-known white horse is the winner of G1 Victoria Mile at Tokyo on 15th May. As the fifth finisher SONGLINE, who subsequently won G1 Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo on 5th June, I understand the form of Victoria Mile should be regarded highly. The 1,600m turf course at Hanshin is SODASHI’s favourite track, as she started twice there and won both of them, including the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies and G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas). She finished second in G2 Fuchu Himba Stakes at Tokyo on 15th October, beaten by head, most recently and I understand it is equal to a victory, as she was carrying 4lbs heavier than the winner. And her morning track work at Ritto Training Centre on 9th November, when she was breezed for 1,200m, was very impressive. I am sure she is in top form.
My second choice is SCHNELL MEISTER, 4YO colt by KINGMAN. His form proves that he is arguably one of the best milers in training, as he won G1 NHK Mile Cup in 2021 and finished second both in G1 Mile Championship in 2021 and G1 Yasuda Kinen in 2022. Although he was beaten 9th in G1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama on 2nd October most recently, it is obvious that 1,200m was too short for him.
SALIOS, 5YO horse by HEART'S CRY, who won G2 Mainichi Okan at Tokyo on 9th October, breaking track record, is my third choice. He finished third in G1 Hong Kong Mile in 2021 and third again in G1 Yasuda Kinen in 2022. If he re-produces those form on Sunday, I believe SALIOS has every chance to finish within the first three in Mile Championship.
3YOs, which I described previously, are my fourth and fifth choice. SERIFOS and DANON SCORPION have met three times before, and SERIFOS defeated DANON SCORPION twice, while DANON SCORPION defeated SERIFOS once. Although their class is similar, I judge SERIFOS, who won G2 Fuji Stakes at Tokyo on 22nd October, is a better horse and he is my fourth choice. DANON SCORPION, who was third in G2 Fuji Stakes, is my fifth choice.
SELECTIONS: 6. SODASHI, 4. SCHNELL MEISTER, 5. SALIOS, 10. SERIFOS & 15. DANON SCORPION
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