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 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) (S3-1) (Naohiro Goda)

S3-1     Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks)

Yushun Himba is Japanese Oaks and second leg of Japanese Triple Tiara for 3YO fillies.

I picked up QUEEN’S WALK as my first choice in Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas), first leg of Triple Tiara for 3YO fillies at Hanshin on 7th April and she was disappointing eighth there. QUEEN’S WALK, who jumped from barrier 2 of 18 runners’ field, was boxed-in and forced to make a trip on rail side all way through. Unfortunately, on the day of Oka Sho, rail side of turf track at Hanshin was much slower than stand side. I assess it cost a lot. As she is a winner of G3 Queen Cup at Tokyo on 10th February, I am sure the track at Tokyo is more suitable for the filly by KIZUNA, and 2,400m is much more suitable for her than 1,600m. And her morning track work on 8th May was very impressive, clocking 36.9 seconds for three furlongs and 11.5 seconds for one furlong at wood-chip course at Ritto Training Center. I select QUEEN’S WALK as my favorite with assurance.

My second choice is SWEEP FEET, who finished fourth in G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas), overcoming the traffic problem which she had on homestretch. Her pedigree suggests 2,400m at Tokyo Racecourse is much more suitable for her than 1,600m at Hanshin Racecourse, as her sire, SUAVE RICHARD, is the winner of G1 Japan Cup in 2019.

My third choice is STELLENBOSCH, winner of G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas). Sakae Kunieda, who trains the filly by EPIPHANEIA, had trained APAPANE and ALMOND EYE, who completed Triple Tiara for 3YO fillies in 2010 and in 2018 respectively. It is worth listening to Kunieda, saying that “STELLENBOSCH is as good as APAPANE and ALMOND EYE”. And her pedigree suggests she stays mile and half.

TAGANO ELPIDA, who won Listed Wasurenagusa Sho over 2,000m at Hanshin on 7th April by 2.5 lengths, is my fourth choice. The filly by KIZUNA finished third in G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes at Hanshin on 17th December 2023, running against colts with the highest profile and I understand we must regard this form very highly, as JANTAR MANTAR, winner of that race, won G1 NHK Mile Cup at Tokyo on 5th May by 2.5 lengths. Pedigree also suggests 2,400m should be her best trip.

My fifth choice is CERVINIA, who won G3 Artemis Stakes at Tokyo on 28th October 2023.  Though she was beaten 13th in G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas), it was first start for her since October 2023, and I believe she runs much better on Sunday.

SELECTIONS: 2. QUEEN’S WALK, 13. SWEEP FEET, 7. STELLENBOSCH, 17. TAGANO ELPIDA & 12. CERVINIA

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