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.

Tokyo Racecourse – Track Analysis (Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks)):

Tokyo Racecourse is an anti-clockwise oval track with two chutes that rejoin the main course for 1800m and 2000m races respectively. One of the renowned features for Tokyo Racecourse is its extended homestretch over 525.9m, which is the second longest in JRA's tracks, only after outer track at Niigata. In addition, the homestretch is going uphill and the final 300m is the highest point, front runners usually find it difficult to make all if they are failed to run away from the field early in the straight. Overall, Tokyo Racecourse is recognized as a fair and straightforward track, where true ability of runners reflects to the result genuinely.

G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) is conducted at the 2400m turf course. Starting gate is set at 317m before the finishing line on the homestretch and the distance from the starting gate to the beginning of the near turn is 350m. Recent statistic shows outside draw is not favourable at this course, STARS ON EARTH is a rare exception who jumped from the widest draw and managed to win the Oaks in 2022.

There is a sharp rise in the middle of the backstretch with difference in height of 1.5m which comes suddenly after the 600m downslope beginning at the early part of the near turn. Meanwhile, there is a 160m long sharp rise begins from the top of the homestretch, although the final 300m is flat. In all, Tokyo is a fair track, where true ability of runners reflects on the result straightforwardly. However, front runners find it difficult to make all and it is a tough task to both the runners' speed and stamina, especially for the reason that they are required to climb uphill for two times over 2400m. Those with sharp acceleration at the final part of race generally get the upper hand.

Last year’s Yushun Himba was conducted on good ground. LIBERTY ISLAND with Yuga Kawada in the irons was settled at sixth position and HARPER ridden by Christophe Lemaire tracked LIBERTY ISLAND from eighth postision. Yuga Kawada was still motionless when swung into homestretch. He waited for a few more moments, and then, as Kawada pressed the button, LIBERTY ISLAND responded rapidly and drew right away to win by 6 lengths. HARPER finished second.

Spring meeting at Tokyo Racecourse started on 20th April and the day of Yushun Himba is the tenth day of the meeting. Turf surface on rail side at far turn has become slightly rough. Also, rain is forecasted through the week to Yushun Himba. Please be advised to pay attention on the update of weather.

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