Winning Post-1500m: Not a lot to report in this section. It's in similar shape to the rest of the course but is a slow-speed area so insignificant. The growth isn’t consistent like the outer track but wear and tear is minimal. Walks a Soft 7.
1300m (chute)-1000m: Minor marking. Coverage still solid. Better side of a 7, even across as is often the case here where horses are running in straight lines.
1500m-1000m: More wear in this part of the track than in the chute. Clearly more sandfill across the inside 3 lanes. Still walks in the 7 range but coverage is a little inconsistent. Doubt many are wider than lane 3 so won't be any advantage gained.
1000-400m: Thought the track was pretty inconsistent across and the amount of sandfill makes it a little shifty underfoot. Thankfully no rain forecast on the day but not expecting them to run slick times despite it not being ‘wet’ ground. Hard up against the fence is no spoil, but it might be hard to make up ground with traction hard to come by in loose ground.
400m-Winning Post: Quite tired and lumpy with a fair bit of fill as is consistent around this track. Still don’t think hard up on the fence will be as advantageous as it usually is. It's not typical for the Parks but won't surprise me to see a few come down lanes 2-5 here if races are run quickly. Lane 6 and beyond much more heavy wear but doubt many will come that wide with the small fields. Walks between a 6 and a 7.
Overview: I wouldn't call it consistent across the surface. It walks quite lumpy and there's a fair bit of fill right around the track. I didn’t think fence was dynamite despite it being the quickest way home and the usual pattern here. I am expecting it to race fairly but interested to see if they can sprint fast sectionals from the back on what is a slightly shifty track.
Blinkers FIRST TIME, Ear Muffs (Pre-Race Only) FIRST TIME
Racing colours
Blue, Pink Fleur De Lys, Yellow Sleeves
Owners
R Jolly, G Condon, Ms M White, G Richards, P Ninnis, Mrs P Southern-Ninnis, M Williams, R Edwards, B Gordon, P Lynch, A Hayes, D Ivory, Mrs K Gumley, G Ings, B B Q Inn Racing No 1 & 2, Caveman (R Leitch), Triple-G Racing (M Shephard) & Kobeone (A Bailey)
Deep Navy Blue, Orange Select Bloodstock logo, Striped Sleeves, Navy Blue Cap With Orange Pom Pom
Owners
Ms S Sperenini-Bieg, Mrs M D White, Ms N Rantanen Reynolds, D G Reynolds, P J Eriksson, D Horrell, T J Howell, J S Baumer, D J Baumer, L Sack, P Sack, J D Dollman, Dr H Meyer, R Mundy, C F Sherratt, Ms A J Mitchell, B J Hedley, R Beens, J R Sherratt & Freshmen (Mgr: M D Veprek)
R Wren, Mrs K Wrens, Mrs A Mitchell, Mrs J Bell, G Doyle, Mrs L Doyle, J Doyle, W Mitchell, Mrs K Kennedy, J Buerckner, Mrs J Buerckner, G R Wren, M Horne & Mrs L Horne
Navy Blue, White Seams, White And Navy Blue Seams Cap
Owners
Mrs L R Day, S A Day, Ms K Day, J B O'Connor, E D Kennewell, D W Burgess, Mrs J D Burgess, M B Duffield, J Guc, W P Burt, N Kendera, M Nottage & K Kennewell
Cheekers OFF FIRST TIME, Cross-over Nose Band OFF FIRST TIME, Nose Roll FIRST TIME
Prize
$21,375
Racing colours
Royal Blue, White Fox And Cap
Owners
J L Jordan, Mrs C M Jordan, Mrs M L Jordan, A L Jordan, C Fowler, Dr T Geake, C Gray, D Inglis, Dr S Prowse, G Perkins, B S Thring, S N R Edwardes, D J Thomas, T H Lovejoy, Dr H A Lewis & Rizika Racing (Mgr: M J Stoll)
White, Purple Maltese Cross, Orange Sleeves And Cap
Owners
Miss K M Byrnes, G Cannizzaro, Mrs A J Cannizzaro, M C Thomas, Mrs L A Thomas, K L Harrison, Mrs A Harrison, Mrs R M Markham, D W Markham, B L Terry & Mrs J C Terry