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.

Tokyo Racecourse – Track Analysis (Yasuda Kinen):

Tokyo Racecourse is an anti-clockwise oval track. Outer turf track is 2083.1m long, with 525.9m homestretch, which is the second longest in JRA’s tracks after Niigata. Backstretch is 400m long. There are two chutes to set the stalls for races over 1800m and 2000m. The width of the course is the widest in JRA’s tracks. The bend is gentle and it is described as “galloping course”. While it is recognized in general that the true ability of runners reflects on the results, it is the tendency that the runners who are off the pace during former part of race and deliver strong challenge on homestretch make good showing at Tokyo Racecourse. Inner dirt track is 1899m long, with 501.6m homestretch, the last 200m to the finishing line on the homestretch is the highest point, and the middle of the far turn to the top of homestretch is the lowest point of the course.

G1 Yasuda Kinen is conducted at the 1600m turf course. Starting gate is set at the top of the backstretch and distance from the starting gate to the entrance of far turn is 550m. While it is analyzed there is no draw bias, statistics shows middle numbers are preferable. Tempo tends to be moderate at this course. The distance from the exit of far turn to winning post is 525.9m. 160m long sharp rise, with difference in height of 2m, begins at around 400m to 300m from home. Final 300m is flat. This is recognized as “tough mile”, and is analyzed runners are required stamina to stay 2000m, even though the actual distance is 1600m.

Last year’s Yasuda Kinen was conducted at firm going track. The pace was slower than standard, as the front runner clocked 46.7 seconds at 800m and 58.7 seconds at 1000m, ELUSIVE PANTHER with Hironobu Tanabe on saddle, was slowly into stride and left at rear of 18 runners’ field. SCHNELL MEISTER, who was settled at mid pack, responded well when Christophe Lemaire started to drive at top of homestretch and showed a sharp turn of foot, cutting through middle of the herd. SONGLINE, who was also settled at middle of field by Kenichi Ikezoe on saddle, showed a sharper turn of foot at stand side of homestretch and passed Schnell Meister by neck at final stride. Though ELUSIVE PANTHER clocked 32.6 seconds for final 600m, the quickest in 18 runners, he was beaten eighth.

Spring meeting at Tokyo Racecourse started on 22nd April and 4th June is the 14th meeting. Turf surface at rail side on far turn has become rough. As temporary rail is set at 9m from inside rail on turf track after the meeting on 28th May, the turf track should be fresh and hold good cushion on the day of Yasuda Kinen. While weather in Tokyo is changeable at this time of year, there is possibility that amount of rain could affect the track condition on the raceday. Please be advised to pay attention on weather update during the week leading up to Yasuda Kinen.

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