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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. |
Chukyo Racecourse – Track Analysis (Takamatsunomiya Kinen):
Chukyo Racecourse is an anti-clockwise track. The outer turf track is 1705.9m long, with a 412.5m homestretch. A 150m chute joins at oval track at the top of the backstretch. The width of track is 25m to 30m wide according to the course selection of the day. The inner dirt track is 1530m long, with a 410.7m homestretch.
The turf track is used for the 1200m G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen. Starting gate is set at the early part of the backstretch, and there is a 350m long straight from the starting gate to the entrance of a far turn. With regard to drawing, statistics show that high numbers are preferable and barrier 1 is an unlucky draw. Even LORD KANALOA, winner of Hong Kong Sprint, failed to win this race in 2012, when he started from barrier 1 and finished third.
Beginning 100m is slight upslope, and then, downslope continues, all way through far turn, which is gentle, until 80m after the top of homestretch, begins at 320m out. And final 200m is slight upslope. Track record is 1 minute and 6.7 seconds. It is recognized as a very fair track, where true ability of runners reflects on the result straightforwardly. While home straight is long enough for closers, speedy front runners are able to make all.
Last year’s Takamatsunomiya Kinen was contested on soft ground. The favourite, RESISTENCIA, who finished second in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint in 2021, made a quick break and tried to dominate the race at front. The mare by DAIWA MAJOR clocked 44.4 seconds at 800m pole, which was quick tempo as we considered the track was soft. The quick tempo was beneficial for NARAN HULEG by GOLD ALLURE, who was settled at almost rear of 18 runners’ field, he responded very well as Kyosuke Maruta on board asked him to stretch his legs at top of homestretch. NARAN HULEG, who covered the final 600m for 33.9 second, the second fastest within the 18 runners, overtook all his rivals and won by neck. LOTUS LAND was settled at the middle of field, delivered strong challenge on homestretch and finished second. RESISTENCIA, who tired at homestretch, finished sixth. NARAN HULEG, trained by Yoshitada Munakata, was a late bloomer and improved significantly when he became 6YO in 2022. He finished third in the G3 Silk Road Stakes at Chukyo on 30th January 2022 and finished second in G3 Ocean Stakes at Nakayama on 5th March 2022. The G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen was the first Graded Stakes won by NARAN HULEG.
Official going of turf course at Chukyo is good as announced by Japan Racing Association on Friday 17th March. However, rain is forecasted before the meeting, therefore, it is likely that the ground at Chukyo on the race day is Soft, as it was in the last three years.
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