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.

Hanshin Racecourse – Track Analysis (Osaka Hai):

Hanshin Racecourse, always racing clockwise, is comprised of three tracks, including the turf track on the outside, the dirt track in the middle and the steeplechase course from the inside. One of the characteristics of the turf in Hanshin is that either the inner bend or outer bend will be used according to the distance of the races when the horses turning for home. For the outer bend, the track is 2089m long, with a 473.6m homestretch, which is the third-longest in JRA’s tracks, after Niigata and Tokyo. The track using the inner bend is 1689m long, with a 356.5m homestretch. The dirt track is 1517.6m long, with a 352.7m long homestretch. There are two chutes that rejoin the main course at the top of both the backstretch and the homestretch.

G1 Osaka Hai over 2,000m is conducted at inner turf track. Starting gate is set at 311m before the finishing line on homestretch. The distance from the starting gate to the entrance of near turn is 325m. As sharp rise begins 100m from the starting gate, tempo tends to be slow at this course. The course is flat from near turn, all way through backstretch, until 600m out. There is a 400m long downslope from the far turn to the 200m marker on the homestretch, with 2m difference in height. And the runners go through the sharp rise again, which begins 200m before the finishing line. It is recognized as a tough course, as runners go through the sharp rise on homestretch twice, and stamina and power are more important factors than speed and turn of foot.

Last year’s Osaka Hai was conducted on good ground. Yutaka Take on JACK D’OR, who jumped quickly from barrier 9, decides to use front-running tactics, while STARS ON EARTH was bumped by horses of both side immediately after the break and took 12th position of 16 runners’ field. STARS ON EARTH with Christophe Lemaire in the irons, who was still 10th position at top of homestretch, delivered the strongest challenge and tried to make up ground. However, JACK D’OR was bravely enough to keep on doggedly to win by a nose.

The day of Osaka Hai is 12th live racing at Hanshin. While it is still kept in good condition, surface at the beginning of far turn of inner turf track and exit of far turn through homestretch is slightly getting tired.

Rain is forecasted few days before the race day. Please be advised to pay attention to the weather forecast nearer the time.

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