 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. | |
Kyoto Racecourse – Track Analysis (Queen Elizabeth II Cup Day):
Kyoto Racecourse is a clockwise oval track with three tracks for turf, dirt and steeplechase races. Similar to Hanshin Racecourse, either inner bend or outer bend will be used when the horses are turning for home. The turf track using outer bend is around 1,894m long, with around 404m homestretch. If inner bend is going to be used, the turf track is around 1,783m long with around 328m homestretch. The dirt track is around 1,608 m long with around 329m long homestretch. The course is generally level except the uphill before hitting the final turn and the downhill before entering the home stretch.
Four turf races and three dirt races from the Queen Elizabeth II Cup Day will be simulcast to Hong Kong this year.
The 2200m G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup and 3yo and up 2 wins will be conducted at outer bend at Kyoto. Since the starting gate is set at early part of homestretch and distance from the starting gate to entrance of near turn is 397m, there is no specific draw bias over the distance. Overall speaking, tempo tends to be moderate or slow, however, it will usually be picked up during the downhill in the far turn. Therefore, it is crucial to keep the speed for more than 800m until finishing line. In other words, sustainable speed is more important than turn of foot.
Due to the renovation in Kyoto Racecourse, Queen Elizabeth II Cup in 2022 was conducted at Hanshin Racecourse. As there was heavy rain in the morning, track condition was “Soft”. ROSA NOIR set a moderate pace at front, STUNNING ROSE was settled at fifth position and DARING TACT, the favourite of the race, was settled at eighth position. WIN MARILYN, who was settled at sixth position, responded well when Damian Lane in the irons started to drive at middle of far turn and hit the front at 250m to go. The runner who delivered strongest challenge on homestretch was GERALDINA, who was settled at eleventh position by Cristian Demuro. She hit the front at 150m to go and draw clear by one and three quarters of lengths. WIN MARILYN and LILAC dead heated for second. DARING TACT was beaten sixth and STUNNING ROSE finished fourteenth.
The 1800m 3yo and up 1 win will be conducted at outer bend with the starting gate setting at far end of chute at entrance of the backstretch. Distance from starting gate to entrance of far turn is 900m. Tempo tends to be quick and there is no draw bias. Similar to the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, sustainable speed is of utmost importance.
Inner bend will be used for the 2000m Kigiku Sho. Starting gate is set at middle of homestretch and distance from starting gate to entrance of near turn is 309m. Stall assignments bring little impact. While tempo at early stage could be quick, it tends to be slowing down at backstretch at this course and sharp turn of foot is useful.
For the dirt races, the starting gate for the 1900m 3yo and up 2 wins is set at top of homestretch. Distance from starting gate to entrance of near turn is 386m. Tempo tends to be quick and there is no draw bias. Front runners and runners who track leaders tend to enjoy far better result than runners who come from behind.
For the 1200m Muromachi Stakes, starting gate is set at entrance of backstretch and distance from starting gate to entrance of far turn is 410m. Tempo tends to be very quick and wide draw is an advantage. Despite the quick tempo, front runners and runners who track leaders tend to enjoy far better result than runners who come from behind.
The starting gate for the 1400m Doncaster Cup will be set at middle of chute at entrance of backstretch, therefore, surface of beginning is turf. Wide draw could be an advantage. Distance from starting gate to entrance of far turn is 610m and tempo tends to be quick. Runners who have speed tend to enjoy better result at this course.
Autumn meeting at Kyoto started on 7th October and Queen Elizabeth II Cup Day is the eleventh day of the meeting. It is worth to know that rail side of turf course from middle of backstretch, through far turn and homestretch has become slightly rough. Dry weather is expected at the area of Kyoto Racecourse through the week until the raceday, but weather forecast at this time of the year is changeable and please be advised to pay attention on weather update.
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