 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 (Takarazuka Kinen):
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.
The G1 Takarazuka Kinen is the final G1 at JRA during first half of year. It is usually conducted at Hanshin Racecourse. However, as Hanshin is closed for renovation of grand stand and some other facilities for one year from April 2024, this year’s Takarazuka Kinen is transferred to Kyoto Racecourse.
The 2200m G1 Takarazuka Kinen 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.
Last year’s Takarazuka Kinen was conducted at Hanshin racecourse with a high quality of field. EQUINOX, Japanese Horse of the Year in 2022, was supported as hot favourite, and JUSTIN PALACE was supported as second favorite. The tempo of race was moderate, EQUINOX was left at 16th position in the 17 runners’ field. EQUINOX started to make up ground at three furlong pole and was ten or more wide off the final corner. The situation was reversed dramatically, as his movement looked faster than light, and EQUINOX hit the front at a furlong pole. SEVEN SEAS used sharp turn of foot at the final stage. However, EQUINOX still managed to win the race by a neck.
Spring meeting at Kyoto started on 20th April and the day of Takarazuka Kinen is the 20th meeting. The surface of the turf course has become slightly rough. Rain is forecasted on the days before and it could affect the track condition, please pay attention on weather updates.
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