Winning Post-1800m: This section usually holds more moisture than other parts of the track and I felt that was the case again. The area where the horses pull up is at least a Soft 7, if not slightly worse but it's not an area of much consequence. Nothing wrong with the fence here though.
1800m-1200m: I thought this area was incredibly even with very little difference between any of the lanes. As you exit the back straight there is some scattered sand fill closer to the fence but I can't see that having any impact. There's genuine give in the ground and coverage continues to improve as we leave winter behind. Walked a '6' to me.
1200m-800m: Another even section here with not a lot between any of the racing lanes. Walked like a '6' to me so there's a chance they mark the surface and start looking for fresher ground as the meeting goes on. I'd still be happy enough to back horses drawn anywhere in the chute based on this section alone.
800m-400m: I thought approaching the 700m mark the inside couple of lanes started to walk a little slower than off the fence. Won't surprise me if lanes 1 and 2 hold more moisture than out wider and as a result will chop out more quickly. You might see them start leaving the rail in this section. Walked a '6', but highly unlikely to see an upgrade.
400m-Winning Post: More sandfill across the inside 2-3 lanes in this section. It won't surprise me if we see a few ease off the rail in the previous section and stay off it in the straight. If that happens early enough we might see them dart back to the fence later in the day. General prediction here is that we'll see them use a lot of the straight and don't be surprised to see them come down the middle of the straight. Walked a '6' also.
Verdict: I thought the track would race really well but you'd see the riders start easing off the fence from the 700m mark. That could be the general pattern of the day but if it happens too early you may see a few stick to the fence with success later in the card. I'm confident that it stays in the Soft 6 range barring additional showers in the next 24 hours. The last meeting here was in the True position and every horse got their chance, moving out to the 3m position I expect it to be the case again though I wouldn't penalise horses drawn wide.
R R Jolly, D Cooper, C Jenkin, A Marchioretti, M F Conroy, B J Ramsbotham, K R Sexton, C J Campbell, B R Matthew, G Wallace, G Plummer, P M Cook, Mrs K L Ramsbotham, J G Green, P W Vaughan, M F Vaughan, Horse Hair Syn, Seal Racing (Mgr: M A Seal) & Happy Days (Mgr: D Cameron)
Royal Blue, White Seams, Hooped Sleeves, White Cap
Owners
D R Ward, W A Blythman, Mrs R P Blythman, G Blythman, Mrs J Withers, L E Williams, R M Warnock, C A Reynolds, P J Walding, Ms R A Atkinson, D L Mazurke, D A Varney, P J Ninnis, Ms J Heaney & Mrs P C Southern-Ninnis
L M Macdonald, J S Rogers, A J Randall, J M Marsden, R B Satchell, R W Sands, Mrs R J Sands, M B Evans, B D Smythe, T Sands & Beers & Skittles (Mgr: T P McAuliffe)
