At Oi Racecourse in Shinagawa, Tokyo, it's not just the horses that burst from the starting gate. A photo spot with four full-sized stalls lets visitors experience the thrill of a race start.
Step Into a Race
Starting gates ensure a fair start by releasing all the horses at once. According to Tokyo City Keiba spokesperson Takuto Watanabe, the replica stalls measure about 4.5 meters long and 3 meters high. Aside from the height being adjusted, they are identical to those used in official races.
Though slightly cramped inside, the photo spot allows visitors a taste of the pre-start tension and the rush that jockeys and horses feel when the gates fly open.
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Author: Masahiro Sakai, The Sankei Shimbun
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