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 Takarazuka Kinen (S2-1) (Naohiro Goda)

S2-1     Takarazuka Kinen

There are two races in JRA’s annual racing calendar, which runners are chosen through fan votes, and one of them is G1 Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin on 25th June, over 2.5 million votes were casted in total and EQUINOX, who collected 216,379 votes, took the first place of leader board. It is the most votes ever for fan votes conducted for Takarazuka Kinen, passing 191,394 votes collected by TITLEHOLDER in 2022.

EQUINOX, Japanese Horse of the Year in 2022, started current season in Dubai, where the 4YO colt by KITASAN BLACK won G1 Dubai Sheema Classic impressively on 25th March. After returning from Dubai, EQUINOX had an easy time at Tenei Branch of Northern Farm for two months and returned at Tetsuya Kimura’s barn in Miho Training Center on 26th May. As the uphill track at Miho is closed, due to renovation, at the moment, EQUINOX was shipped to Ritto Training Center on 4th June and has been trained there for Takarazuka Kinen. EQUINOX was breezed with Christophe Lemaire in the irons for 1,200m on 14th June and clocked 1 minute and 19.3 seconds. I judge EQUINOX, who has earned rating 129 at Dubai in March and is current leader of World's Best Racehorse Rankings, is ready to run his race on Sunday.

My second choice is JUSTIN PALACE, who won G1 Tenno Sho Spring at Kyoto on 30th April by two and a half-length. I understand the best trip for this 4YO colt by DEEP IMPACT is 3,000m and further. However, he won G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai over 2,200m last September and 2,200m is also a suitable trip for him. And inner turf track at Hanshin is his favorite track, as he started there three times and won two of them.

UNICORN LION, who finished second in G1 Takarazuka Kinen in 2021, is my third choice. The 7YO horse by NO NAY NEVER was beaten fifth in G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick on 8th April and I reckon it was a good effort, as track was not his favorable condition. It looks he is only runner with speed in the field of Takarazuka Kinen and I believe UNICORN LION is able to control the race at front.

DEEP BOND who has finished within first four in G1 Stakes for six times, including G1 Tenno Sho Spring at Kyoto on 30th April when he was runner-up to JUSTIN PALACE, is my fourth choice. I believe inner turf track at Hanshin is suitable for him.

And my fifth choice is VELA AZUL. His recent form is very poor, as the 6YO horse by EISHIN FLASH was well beaten in G1 Arima Kinen at Nakayama on 25th December and in G1 Dubai World Cup at Meydan on 25th March. However, he is a winner of G1 Japan Cup last year and I think we should not ignore him.

SELECTIONS: 5. EQUINOX, 9. JUSTIN PALACE, 15. UNICORN LION, 10. DEEP BOND & 8. VELA AZUL

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