Winning post-1800 metres: We are on the Morphettville course proper this Saturday with the rail staying at the 12m position from the 1200m to the winning post and 8m for the remainder, the same position as a fortnight ago. With the rail the same here after two weeks off, the inside pad still presents relatively well and walks consistently, with only slight wear from the fence to the three wide line. At the time of walking on Thursday morning, with overcast and cool conditions, it walked in the ‘Good 4’ range, with no difference between the fence and several horses away from it. On Thursday morning the track was rated ‘Good 4’.
1800m-1200m: There is excellent grass coverage all the way around to the 1200 metres and the track walks consistently in the Good 4 range. There will be no disadvantage to be away from the fence, in the two and three wide line, particularly with cover.
1200m-800m: This part of the track presents well and walks in the Good 4 range. The track has continues to improve and there is minimal signs of damage from racing a fortnight ago.
800m-400m: As horses commence their runs away from the fence, there may be some evidence of kick back closer to the rail and one or two off the fence, as the day goes on. There will be horses looking to get away from the fence from around the 600 metre mark and the ground is consistent on the inside, with only minimal damage near the fence and one off.
400m-Winning post: The track walks consistently in the Good 4 range, with some further irrigation considered to keep the track in the Good range for Saturday. Although the rail is out, the track has raced evenly with horses winning on the pace and from back in the field in recent weeks. The straight walks consistently from the fence out, with no evidence that any particular pattern should emerge here. It is expected that runners will also be able to make ground out wide, as well as up near the lead or on the pace.
Verdict: A genuine Good track is expected for Saturday's card, with a warm day forecast after cooler conditions on Thursday and Friday morning. The track has recovered well from the meeting on the 26th November and walks consistently throughout, including in the straight. Look for horses winning from both up near the lead or on pace near the fence, but also coming from further back and fanning from the turn out to the middle of the track. This is a sign of an even track, with all horses getting their respective chances, depending on the pace of the races with the rail out. Barriers too, come into play as runners drawn out wide will be expected to inject good early pace into some races.
Stewards will further assess the track for a confirmation of the rating on Friday afternoon.
O T I Racing (Mgrs: T Henderson & S Driscoll), M Cumani, S Taylor, R Cox, S Hay, D Kerr, R McDonald, J Callaway, R Menchise, J & Mrs J Spence, N Davidson, Beartown No.1, Beartown No.2, Circus, The King No.3 Syndicate, Forest View & DMB Racing
T R L White, Mrs M E White, T R Little, Mrs C M Little, Mrs H M Jones, Mrs A M Farley, P J Herrmann, N Boase, L A Thompson, Mrs F G Smith, R W Smith, I Kerr & G S Matthews
Gold, Black Seams, Black And White Checked Cap, Gold Pom Pom
Owners
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
G R Prest, J G Kelly, F S Greenslade, D Marsh, J S Thring, D L Bayly, Mrs P S Bayly, JT Thring, Mrs P D Kent, Mrs P H Noblet, Mrs A G Veitch & Mrs C R Prest
