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.

Expert Column for Takamatsunomiya Kinen (S1-1) (Naohiro Goda)

S1-1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen

While this is a Championship race for sprinters, over 1,200m at Chukyo, and the quickest horse should be the winner, there is one more important factor to consider, as far as Takamatsunomiya Kinen. The official going on the day of Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo was yielding in the last three years. And rain is forecasted at the area of Chukyo during the week leading up to the race day. Hence, in addition to speed, the runners are required to have the ability to handle soft ground.

My favourite is NAMURA CLAIR. While she finished third in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) over 1,600m, she has won three Graded stakes over 1,200m and it is obvious that her best trip is 1,200m. I am very impressed with her performance in G3 Silk Road Stakes over the same course and distance as Takamatsunomiya Kinen on 29th January, when she covered the final 600m for 32.9 seconds, the quickest within 15 runners. If she could re-produce that form on Sunday, I believe she has every chance to win Takamatsunomiya Kinen. And when she won Phoenix Sho at Kokura in August 2021, she handled the heavy track very well.

My second favourite is NARAN HULEG, who is trying to achieve the back-to-back win of Takamatsunomiya Kinen. He was disappointing 10th in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint in December and again in G3 Ocean Stakes at Nakayama on 4th March, when he was beaten 9th. As far as G3 Ocean Stakes, I think there were some excuses, as it was his first start since December. His body weight was 33lbs heavier than the previous start, and he carried 130lbs, the heaviest in 16 runners. His condition has been improving since the previous start and I believe he should run much better on Sunday. And he handled soft ground very well when he won this race last year.

VENTO VOCE, who won G3 Ocean Stakes at Nakayama on 4th March by two lengths, is my third choice. Although he is not a consistent horse, he performed very good on his day. For example, he clocked 1 minute and 6.8 seconds when he won the Listed Shunrai Stakes at Nakayama on April 2022. It is only 0.1 seconds slower than the track record established by LORD KANALOA. And the track was soft when he won a maiden at Kokura in January 2020.

My fourth choice is MEIKEI YELL, who finished fifth in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint last time out. It is obvious that she prefers an anti-clockwise track. Although this is her first start since December, she has been trained well at Ritto Training Centre and I believe she is ready to run her race on Sunday.

And my fifth choice is LOTUS LAND, who was runner-up to NARAN HULEG in this race last year. She has started on soft to heavy ground three times, won once and finished second twice. Her chance would be bigger if the weekend rain is heavier than forecasted.

SELECTIONS: 15. NAMURA CLAIR, 6. NARAN HULEG, 7. VENTO VOCE, 5. MEIKEI YELL & 8. LOTUS LAND

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.