 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 Osaka Hai (S1-1) (Naohiro Goda)
S1-1 Osaka Hai
None of the first three finishers in G1 Tenno Sho Autumn in 2022, EQUINOX, PANTHALASS, and DANON BELUGA, are entered here. And there is neither DO DEUCE nor SHAHRYAR in the field. The field of Osaka Hai lacks top class male athletes. From this fact, I am convinced I should select fillies and mares as my choices for Osaka Hai.
My favourite is STARS ON EARTH, winner of G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas), and G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) in 2022, who is no doubt the class horse. While this is the first time for this 4YO filly by DURAMENTE to compete against male athletes in Graded Stakes, both of her physical and mental strength could be competitive against the male horses. After finishing third in G1 Shuka Sho at Hanshin on 16th October, when she had a serious traffic problem, she had inflammation on the suspensory ligament near fore leg and STARS ON EARTH has not run since then. However, she returned to Mizuki Takayanagi’s barn in Miho Training Centre on 2nd March and has been trained very well for Osaka Hai since then. She was breezed for 1,200m on 24th March, when she clocked 81.0 seconds, and it was impressive workout. I believe she is ready to run her race on Sunday.
My second choice is GERALDINA, who improved rapidly through second half of 2022 season. She is a very well bred, as her dam is GENTILDONNA, the JRA Horse of the Year in 2012 and 2014, and expectation was very high from day one. However, her inflammable temperament hindered her growth as an athlete. In fact, she is now a mature mare, who can control her mind. She won the G2 Sankei Sho All Comers on 25th September 2022, which was her first Graded Stakes winner, and won the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup on 13th November 2022, which was her first G1 title. And she finished third in the G1 Arima Kinen on 25th December 2022, in which she finished four lengths behind EQUINOX, who won G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan on 25th March by three and a half lengths. I am sure GERALDINA is competitive in this field.
While JACK D'OR was brilliant when he won the G2 Kinko Sho at Chukyo on 13th March 2022 and G2 Sapporo Kinen at Sapporo on 21st August 2022, JACK D'OR was lacklustre when he was beaten seventh in G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup on 11th December 2022. If the 5YO horse by MAURICE gets back his brilliance, I think he has a good chance to finish within the first three on Sunday.
My fourth choice is WELTREISENDE, who finished third in G1 Japan Cup at Tokyo on 27th November 2022 and won the G2 Nikkei Shinshun Hai at Chukyo on 15th January. If the 6YO horse by DREAM JOURNEY re-produces those form, he should finish within the first four on Sunday.
HISHI IGUAZU, who finished second in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup in 2021 and won the G2 Nakayama Kinen at Nakayama on 26th February, is my fifth choice.
SELECTIONS: 11. STARS ON EARTH, 1. GERALDINA, 9. JACK D'OR, 6. WELTREISENDE & 14. HISHI IGUAZU
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