 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. | |
Nakayama Racecourse – Track Analysis (Sprinters Stakes Day):
Nakayama is a clockwise oval track with two routes for turf course - the inner track and the outer track, and a dirt course. The outer track branches off from the inner track at the exit of near turn and rejoins the inner track at the entrance of far turn. The homestretches for the turf course and dirt course are 310m and 308m respectively. Meanwhile, it is the tendency at Nakayama that the tempo is picked up at the middle of far turn, and the runners who hold endurance and stamina enjoy better result than runners who hold sharp turn of foot.
This year, five turf races and three dirt races from the Sprinter Stakes Day will be simulcast to Hong Kong.
Feature Race
Sprinters Stakes 1200m Turf
Starting gate for the feature race, 1200m Sprinters Stakes is set at the beginning of backstretch and there is 275m long straight from the starting gate to the beginning of far turn. Statistics show middle number is preferable at this course and distance. Given the short homestretch, tactical speed is always the key to success and it is a tendency that front runners and runners who track leaders closely enjoy better result. But with the upslope in the final 200m, closers are not denied.
Other Races
2yo Newcomer 2000m Turf
Starting gate is set at the top of homestretch, runners go through 405m straight course from the starting gate until the entrance of near turn. Beginning 100m is slight downslope and next 400m is upslope with a difference in the height of 5.3m. Statistic shows there is no draw bias at this course. The pace tends to be quick at the beginning 400m and slow down when runners go into near turn. It is analysed that runners who take command and come from behind have equal chances at this course and distance.
3yo and up 1 win & Sotobo Stakes 1200m Dirt
The starting gate of the 1200m 3yo and up 1 win and Sotobo Stakes is set on the turf track, middle and low draw are favourable, because runners which start from wide draw runs a longer distance on turf than runners which start from inside draw. The pace tends to be strong over this distance. While it is a tendency at this course that front runners and runners who track leaders closely enjoy good result, this is a fair course and closers are not denied.
3yo and up 1 win 2200m Turf
Since the starting gate is positioned at the top of the homestretch, there is a 432m long straight before the first turn and there is no draw bias. The tempo of the races over this distance tends to be steady and it could be picked up at the beginning of far turn. Runners are required sustainable long spurt, rather than quick turn of foot.
3yo and up 2 wins 1800m Dirt
Runners will break from the top of the homestretch. There is no specific draw bias, front runners and runners which track leaders closely enjoy better result over this distance. And “power” and “stamina” work well here, rather than “speed” and “turn of foot”.
Saffron Sho 1600m Turf
The starting gate sets in the chute of the near turn. The field will only run for 240m straight before the first turn. As the result, outside drawn runners are easily put in disadvantage and need extra effort to find an ideal position. The tempo is picked up around at 800m out over this distance. In other words, runners are often required to put on a long spurt.
Sakura Bakushin O Cup 1800m Turf
There is only 205m straight from the starting gate to the first turn. Wide draw could be a disadvantage and the pace tends to be slow, front runners and runners who track leaders closely tend to enjoy better result.
Autumn meeting at Nakayama started on September 7th and the day of Sprinters Stakes is 9th day of meeting. Turf track is kept in beautiful condition and fast. However, rain is forecasted during the week before the Sprinter Stakes Day. Please be advised to pay attention to weather updates on how much amount of rain arrive at Nakayama until the raceday.
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