Winning Post-1500m: Racing returns to the Parks track again tomorrow for the running of the Listed Leon MacDonald Stakes, being consecutive weeks as the main track gets a break. With 17 mls of rain in the last week, the track walked in the Soft 6 range late on Thursday afternoon and gave the impression it is on the improve. The rail out 3 metres from the true position for the entire circumference. There is still a good winter grass cover, and the rail out means we are on a decent pad, even with a definite winter look.
1500-800m (back straight): The back straight of this track walks well with a good cover of grass and with no marking. With the rail out, it provides a consistent surface, although holding some moisture. A healthy cover of grass is evident coming off the 1400m chute joining onto this area and this section is in reasonably good order, although affected by the recent frost.
1400m-800m (chute): Even and good grass coverage during this section remains and will race evenly away from the fence. Horses will not be disadvantaged racing slightly away from the fence in this section of the track, with new ground three wide and out wider. This is the best part of the track as expected and remains well knitted with a good winter thatch present for this time of the year, although it looks 'wintery.'
800m-400m: The coverage is even from the fence out where there are no signs of any damage with the rail out. It walks consistently away from the fence and as expected, fields will start to fan into the straight, with a consistent coverage of grass in this area. From the fence line out, is in good order, with horses not disadvantaged racing on the fence or from fanning wider here.
400m-Winning Post: Entering the straight you can see marking is spread further across the track, however with little damage evident. There are some signs of wear early in the straight on the fence and further out, with runners a chance of drifting off the fence rounding the home turn as the day goes on. For the remainder of the straight it presents fairly evenly and makes it achievable for the backmarkers to finish off out wide in clear ground near the middle of the track. With the rail out three, every runner should have a chance in the straight. Recent track gallops on the outside of the track are showing the usual wear for this time of the year, but horses won’t be out this far to be affected tomorrow.
Verdict: With the Soft 7 rating being posted on Friday morning, the track will only improve with continuing clear skies on Friday and slight winds. The track looks similar to last week, with a definite winter look as the over sown rye grass now starts to be more predominant. For the most part of it we are on a consistent winter surface for Saturday, with little or no damage evident. The pattern of racing in the first part of the program will be determined by pace and field sizes, whereas bigger fields later in the day will see horses fanning more noticeably in the straight. Conditions are expected to improved, although still in the Soft range, which is where the track is likely to start on Saturday.
Speed Maps
Take a look at James Jordan's speed maps here.
Full fields and form
Click here to view full fields and form for Saturday's meeting.
