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 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (S1-1) (Naohiro Goda)

S1-1     Takamatsunomiya Kinen

Horse racing supporters in Japan are excited to have VICTOR THE WINNER in the 54th running of G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen, which carries total purse of 368,200,000yen, approximately HK$18.9 million, at Chukyo on 24th March.

VICTOR THE WINNER is the first international runner in Takamatsunomiya Kinen since BLIZZARD who finished fifth in 2018. And the last international winner is AEROVELOCITY, who won this race in 2015. The winner of G1 Centenary Sprint Cup arrived Japan on 12th March and it looks he has been enjoying new surroundings, eating well and relaxing well. I hope he runs his race on Sunday, while I am worried how he does handle the anti-clockwise track, which he has never experienced in Hong Kong.

My favourite is MAMA COCHA, winner of G1 Sprinters Stakes and JRA Champion Sprinter in 2023. It was not an easy decision between two horses, MAMA COCHA and TOSHIN MACAU, and I select MAMA COCHA after due consideration of their suitability to the race at Chukyo Racecourse. MAMA COCHA started three times at Chukyo, won once, finished second once, and finished third once. The 5YO mare by KUROFUNE has performed solidly at Chukyo. On the other hand, TOSHIN MACAU started there three times and has never finished within the first three. While both of them have enough ability to win Takamatsunomiya Kinen, I expect MAMA COCHA comes first, as it is the race conducted at Chukyo. Though it is her first start since G2 Hanshin Cup on 23rd December for MAMA COCHA, she has been trained well at Ritto Training Centre and I believe she is ready to run her race on Sunday.

My second choice is TOSHIN MACAU, impressive winner of G3 Ocean Stakes at Nakayama on 2nd March. His body weight on the day of G3 Ocean Stakes was 480kg, and it was 12kg heavier than his previous start, G3 Keihan Hai on 26th November. His weight was only 446kg, when he made his racecourse debut in August 2021, and TOSHIN MACAU, who is 5YO now, is still becoming bigger and stronger. And it is a favourable factor that Christophe Lemaire is booked for him on Sunday.

My third choice is NAMURA CLAIR, who was runner-up to FIRST FORCE in G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen in 2023. Since then, the 5YO mare by MIKKI ISLE, won the G3 Keeneland Cup in August and finished third in G1 Sprinters Stakes in October. It is obvious that she is one of the most consistent runners in this field.

And I pick up new powers at sprinters’ division as my fourth and fifth choice. While BIG CAESAR has not won any Graded Stakes yet, his performance when the 4YO colt won the Listed Yodo Tankyori Stakes at Kyoto on 13th January was impressive, and he ran bravely again when he finished second to TOSHIN MACAU in G3 Ocean Stakes. BIG CAESAR is my fourth choice.

LUGAL, 4YO colt by DURAMENTE, who won the G3 Silk Road Stakes at Kyoto on 28th January by three lengths, is my fifth choice.

SELECTIONS: 14. MAMA COCHA, 5. TOSHIN MACAU, 3. NAMURA CLAIR, 1. BIG CAESAR & 6. LUGAL

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