 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 (Mile Championship):
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.
Although Mile Championship is usually conducted at Kyoto Racecourse, Kyoto is temporarily closed due to renovation and the race has been changed to conduct at Hanshin since 2020. Kyoto will be re-opened in 2023 and this race will be moved back to Kyoto afterwards.
Outer turf track is used for the 1600m Mile Championship. Starting gate is set at the early part of backstretch and there is a 444m straight course from the starting gate to the entrance of far turn. Statistics prove that middle numbers are favourable at this course. Runners have to travel slightly downslope for the beginning 230m and suddenly uphill for next 50m. The 682.4m long far turn is gentle. Finally, the field will climb up the 120m sharp rise with the height of 1.8m in the last 200m. While Hanshin is a fair track, where true ability of runners reflects on the result straightforwardly, the tempo tends to be moderate for 1600m races and the turn of foot could be the crucial factor at the closing stage.
Last year’s Mile Championship was contested on good ground. GRAN ALEGRIA, 5YO mare by DEEP IMPACT, winner of G1 Mile Championship in 2020 and third finisher in G1 Tenno Sho Autumn three weeks ago, was supported as the hot favourite. And SCHNELL MEISTER, 3YO colt by KINGMAN, winner of G1 NHK Mile Cup at Tokyo on 9th May and G2 Mainichi Okan at Tokyo six weeks ago, was supported as the second favourite. There was a stir in the audience when the starting gates were opened, as GRAN ALEGRIA dwelt coming out of the stall. While HO O AMAZON led the 16 runners’ field with a moderate pace, SCHNELL MEISTER, ridden by Takeshi Yokoyama, was settled at 8th position on the rail and GRAN ALEGRIA with Christophe Lemaire on saddle was settled at 13th position. At the top of homestretch, GRAN ALEGRIA, who started to make a move at 600m out, took the route of stand side, while SCHNELL MEISTER looked for a gap in middle of crowd. GRAN ALEGRIA, who showed tremendous turn of foot, hit the front at 100m out, and won by three quarters of length. And SCHNELL MEISTER, who delivered strong challenge at the final stage, finished second. GRAN ALEGRIA was the sixth horse who achieved back-to-back win of Mile Championship.
Autumn meeting at Hanshin started on 8th October and the day of G1 Mile Championship is the 15th meeting there. While turf track is still keeping good cushion, surface from middle of far turn to the top of homestretch on the rail is slightly rough.
According to weather forecast, the week from Monday (14th Nov) should be mostly dry. Although rain could arrive on the race day, it depends on the amount of rainfall on Sunday, Mile Championship should be conducted at good ground.
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