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 Yasuda Kinen (S1-1) (Naohiro Goda)

S1-1     Yasuda Kinen

The performance of SERIFOS in the G1 Mile Championship at Hanshin on 20th November 2022 is one of the most impressive performances by Japanese milers that I have seen in the last ten years. SERIFOS with Damian Lane on saddle was still at rear of 17 runners’ field at the top of homestretch and got ahead of 16 runners in single spurt, to win by 1.3 lengths. I thought a new star was born in Japan and was satisfied to see international handicappers gave him a rating of 122, which was higher than COROEBUS and MODERN GAMES who won the 2000 Guineas in UK and Poule d'Essai des Poulains in France separately.

First start of this season for SERIFOS was G1 Dubai Turf over 1,800m turf course at Meydan on 25th March and I selected SERIFOS as my favourite although SERIFOS had never run a race beyond 1,600m. SERIFOS, who was settled in the middle of the field, responded very well, when Damian Lane asked him to quicken at far turn, and started to make up ground. However, SERIFOS lost momentum suddenly and weakened at 200m pole. From this performance, I was convinced that SERIFOS is a pure miler. As the distance of Yasuda Kinen is 1,600m, it’s the best stage for him to show his true ability.

My second favourite is SCHNELL MEISTER, who won G1 NHK Mile Cup over the same course and distance as Yasuda Kinen in 2021 and finished second in Yasuda Kinen in 2022. Since then, the 5YO colt by KINGMAN lost his form and failed to finish within the first three for four races in a row. Then, he bounced back at Kyoto on 23rd April, when he showed himself at his best and won G2 Yomiuri Milers’ Cup, covering final 600m for 32.9 seconds, which is the quickest in 15 runners. Once it is confirmed that real SCHNELL MEISTER is back, he must be the strongest opponent for SERIFOS.

My third choice is SODASHI. The consistency of the white mare at 1,600m turf races is amazing. She started seven races, won four of them, finished second once, and third twice. SODASHI has been trained at Ritto Training Centre much sharper than she was in prior to G1 Victoria Mile at Tokyo on 14th May, which was her first start of season. I believe she is now ready to compete against colts and horses, and finishes within first three here on Sunday.

Interesting runner in the field is JACK D'OR, who has won eight races over 2,000m turf, including G1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin on 2nd April, and has never run the race shorter than 2,000m. It is reported Yutaka Take, who rode JACK D'OR in Osaka Hai, suggested Kenichi Fujioka that Yasuda Kinen is a suitable race for the winner of Osaka Hai. JACK D'OR in my fourth choice.

ELUSIVE PANTHER, beaten favourite in Yasuda Kinen twelve months ago, is my fifth choice. The tempo of the race was not suitable for this closer last year. As there is a few runners with speed in this year’s field, I expect ELUSIVE PANTHER runs better this year.

SELECTIONS: 4. SERIFOS, 14. SCHNELL MEISTER, 5. SODASHI, 3. JACK D'OR & 11. ELUSIVE PANTHER

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