 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 (Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger)):
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.
G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) (3000m)
The G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) over 3000m will be conducted at the outer turf track. Starting gate is set at middle of backstretch. Distance from the starting gate to the entrance of far turn is 208m, and beginning 300m is uphill with difference in height of 3m. The tempo of beginning of Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) tends to be moderate or slow. Statistic shows inside draw, from one to three, is preferable and wide draw is not preferable. Sharp downhill for 250m long begins at the entrance of far turn. It is slight down slope from the middle of far turn to 300m before the finishing line. Final 300m of homestretch is slight uphill. Near turn is flat and 350m long uphill, with difference in height of 4m, begins at middle of backstretch. Sharp downhill for 250m long with difference in height of 3.8m begins at the entrance of far turn and it is tendency that tempo is picked up at this point. It is slight down slope from the middle of far turn to 300m before the finishing line. Final 300m is slight uphill. Distance of homestretch is 403.7m. It is obvious that runners are required to have enough stamina to stay 3,000m.
Autumn meeting at Kyoto Racecourse started on 5th October and the day of Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) is the sixth day of meeting. For the weather forecast, it is almost dry through the week and good ground is expected on the race day.
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