I recommend you always use the short course using manual and during the race, hold down the shoulder buttons for stamina regain, hammer the accelerate button (for me, I think it's X) and then hold down the O button as soon as you get into that glowing crystal tunnel thing, or if you have low stamina, as soon as you come to a wooden bridge next to a waterfall.

And as KoShiatar said, it's always best to load up on Sylkis greens.
Quote Originally Posted by Suikojowy
However, I noticed that the R1/2 thing never worked for me. Was the trick removed from the PAL version or something?
Nah, it's there alright.