 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 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) (S4-1) (Naohiro Goda)
S4-1 Kikuka Sho(Japanese St. Leger)
G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) is final leg of Japanese Triple Crown for 3YO.
My favorite is DANON DECILE, who won G1 Tokyo Yushun, the second leg of Triple Crown for 3YO at Tokyo on May 26th, by two lengths. He is an easy winner of the Japanese Derby, and I reckon DANON DECILE is outstanding in current 3YO generation in Japan. And I understand the competition here is easy for him, because none of second, third, fourth and fifth finisher in Japanese Derby is included in the field of Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger). It is one of factors if he has enough stamina to stay 15 furlongs, and I believe he stays, as his sire EPIPHANEIA is winner of Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) in 2013. This is first start for DANON DECILE since Tokyo Yushun and it is another factor if he is ready to run his race on coming Sunday. I have been monitoring his morning track works closely and I was impressed with him when he was breezed for 1,200m at woodchip course at Ritto Training Center on October 10th and clocked 78.1 seconds. I believe DANON DECILE is 100% fit on the day of the 85th running of Japanese St. Leger.
My second choice is COSMO KURANDA, who finished second in G1 Satsuki Sho, first leg of Triple Crown at Nakayama on April 14th. The colt by AL AIN was beaten sixth in G1 Tokyo Yushun, though, he dwelt coming out of stalls and I assess he should have finished within first three, if he broke quickly. While his sire was the most effective over 10 furlongs, his dam SOUTHERN SPEED is winner of G1 Caulfield Cup over 2,400m. I understand COSMO KURANDA has inherited stamina from his dam.
URBAN CHIC, who won G2 St. Lite Kinen at Nakayama on September 16th, defeating COSMO KURANDA, is my third choice. I am convinced from this performance that the mentality of URBAN CHIC has improved significantly during summer break. His pedigree suggests URBAN CHIC should stay 15 furlongs and it is encouraging factor that Christophe Lemaire is booked to ride him on Sunday.
One of typical stayers in the field is REDENTOR. He is by RULERSHIP, who has sired KISEKI, winner of G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) in 2017, and A SHIN CLICK, who won G2 Hanshin Jump Stakes over 3,900m in 2022. REDENTOR is out of CORCOVADO, who finished second in Tancho Stakes over 2,600m in 2018. And sire of CORCOVADO is STAY GOLD, who has sired FENOMENO, who won G1 Tenno Sho Spring over 3,200m twice. REDENTOR is a winner of Nihonkai Stakes at Niigata on August 17th, which was won by DUREZZA, subsequent winner of G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger), in 2023. My fourth choice is REDENTOR.
And my fifth choice is MELIOREM, winner of Seibu Suponichi Sho over 2,600m at Kokura on July 6th.
SELECTIONS: 4. DANON DECILE, 9. COSMO KURANDA, 13. URBAN CHIC, 16. REDENTOR & 14. MELIOREM
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