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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. |
Hanshin Racecourse – Track Analysis (Osaka Hai):
Hanshin Racecourse, always racing clockwise, is comprised of three tracks, including the turf track on the outside, the dirt track in the middle and the steeplechase course from the inside. One of the characteristics of the turf in Hanshin is that either the 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.
G1 Osaka Hai over 2,000m is conducted at inner turf track. Starting gate is set at 311m before the finishing line on homestretch. The distance from the starting gate to the entrance of near turn is 325m. As sharp rise begins 100m from the starting gate, tempo tends to be slow at this course. The course is flat from near turn, all way through backstretch, until 600m out. There is a 400m long downslope from the far turn to the 200m marker on the homestretch, with 2m difference in height. And the runners go through the sharp rise again, which begins 200m before the finishing line. It is recognized as a tough course, as runners go through the sharp rise on homestretch twice, and stamina and power are more important factors than speed and turn of foot.
Last year’s Osaka Hai was conducted on good to firm ground. JACK D’OR, the second favourite, broke sharply and tried to control the race at the front. He clocked 46.8 seconds at 800m pole, which is the standard time and moderate pace. EFFORIA, the favourite in 16 runners’ field, was settled at eighth position, and LEI PAPALE, winner of G1 Osaka Hai in 2021 and the third favourite, was settled at third position tracking leaders. LEI PAPALE responded well when Yuga Kawada on board asked her to stretch legs at the top of homestretch and hit the front at a 200m out. Then, POTAGER, who was settled in the fifth position, delivered the strongest challenge and overtook LEI PAPALE at the final stride, to win by neck. JACK D’OR, who tired at homestretch, finished fifth. EFFORIA was completely lackluster and finished disappointing ninth.
The day of Osaka Hai is 18th live racing at Hanshin. Surface on the rail at backstretch and far turn of outer turf track are rough in places.
Rain is forecasted few days before the race day. Track conditions on the day of Osaka Hai depend on the amount of rain on 1st and 2nd April. Please be advised to pay attention to the weather forecast nearer the time.
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