Winning post-1800 metres: With the rail back to the true position after a fortnight break, the inside pad presents well and walks consistently. At the time of walking on Thursday afternoon, with fine, warm weather and a reasonably strong breeze, it walked in the ‘Good 4’ range, with no difference between the fence and several horses away from it.
1800m-1200m: There is a good grass coverage all the way around to the 1200 metres and this is the best part of the track. It walks consistently in the Good 4 range and will be no disadvantage to be away from the fence, except for obviously covering additional ground around the first turn.
1200m-800m: Noticeable wear away from the fence out at the 6 metre line and beyond, but this will not come into play, as the inside pad still presents well and walks in the Good 3-4 range. The track has been cut on Thursday of this week, so the turf is quite short in length, with no significant growth yet.
800m-400m: As horses commence their runs away from the fence, there will be some evidence of kick back in the region of the track, as wear and tear from recent jump outs is still evident out wider. With big fields, there will be horses looking to get away from the fence from this point and the ground is reasonably consistent on the inside 6 horses. Further out towards 10 metres there is evidence from damage from recent use, with some noticeable fill in this region. It should not be a factor tomorrow though, as most horses will not be out that wide coming into the straight.
400m-Winning post: Similarly, the better going is from the fence to the 6 wide line as horses turn in the straight and expect that will be the order of the day with big fields and the rail back in. With the rail back in and significant wear and tear from the 6-10 metre wide line and out further in the straight, expect the pattern to favour horses leading or up on the pace. The track walks consistently in the Good 3-4 range, with some overnight irrigation to keep the track in the Good range for Saturday. It is expected that most races will be won by horses in the running line on the fresh pad out to the 6 metre line, as wear and tear outside that point may make it tough for backmarkers to make ground out wide, at least earlier in the program.
Verdict: A genuine Good track and expected to remain so for Saturday's 10 race card, without further rain. Fast times are expected to be the order of the day, with a fresh pad with the rail back in to the true position and the grass cut short. Look for horses winning from up near the lead or on pace near the fence, out to the 6 metre line on the inner part of the track. Horses may be tested on the middle to outer part of the track, in the run to the finish, particularly in the first half of the program.
Stewards will further assess the track for a confirmation of the rating on Friday afternoon.
Black, Teal Lightning Bolt, White And Teal Stars Sleeves, Teal And Black Stars Cap
Owners
B W James, T M Heysen, B I Flood, P J Burchell, M E Gazzard, J E Kirby, D V Gray, T C Ellis, R J Hay, C R Hills, P J Telford, P M Wells, R Evans, J J Williamson, S H Whicker, C G Lynch, Dr R A Mackle & A G Altschwager
R B R (Mgr: R W Balfour), D J Raphael, B R O'Reilly, Mrs C O'reilly, G T Ward, A Iessi, A Dean, C R Dean, T E Satchell, J R Crewdson, R J Crewdson, D J Miller, G D Ward, R D C Ward, M P Dornan, P A Gregory, J L Wallace, M S Reid, R F Coxon & I A Serpo
