Winning post-1800 metres: The first of four consecutive weeks of Group 1 racing sees the rail back in the true position, after being out 8 metres from the 1200 metres to the winning post and 5 metres for the remainder for the last two meetings, including the dual track meeting last Saturday. This gives another excellent pad heading up the Bray St side of the track, with virtually a fresh pad, rated Soft 5, but almost in the Good 4 range at the time of walking on Thursday afternoon.
The inside pad with the rail back in presents very well and walks consistently, with excellent cover as we head into Carnival racing. At the time of walking on Thursday late morning towards noon, it walked in the ‘Good 4’ range in this area, with no difference between the fence and several horses away from it. The track was rated ‘Soft 5’ on Friday morning and remains at this rating on with some shower activity forecast this evening and tomorrow. An excellent grass coverage is present all around the circumference from the rail out to 5-8 metres.
1800m-1200m: There is very good grass coverage all the way around to the 1200 metres and the track walks consistently, following 8mls of irrigation and 14.5 mls of rain during the week. There will be no disadvantage to be away from the fence, in the two and three wide line, particularly with cover. This is a fresh pad of grass, so every horse gets its chance to race on even ground, despite being on the fence or wider out.
1200m-800m: This part of the track also presents extremely well and walked close to the Good 4 range yesterday. The track continues to present well and the thatch cover remains really tight, which is ideal going into four consecutive weeks. The end of April and into May sees a slight downturn in the soil temperature and growing conditions start to level out from herein. There is no sign of damage as we are on a fresh pad in this section.
800m-400m: There is consistent ground from the fence out to the five wide line. Good moisture levels remain on this part, right through to the finish. There is minimal wear on the fence and no horses should be disadvantaged on the fence. There is no evidence of any previous wear and this part of the track presents beautifully. It should hold up well, even with big fields and some slight chance of showers on Friday evening and on race morning.
400m-Winning Post: The track walked consistently in the Good 4 range on Thursday. The track has raced evenly over the last few months, with horses winning on the pace and from back in the field in recent meetings. The straight walks mostly consistent from the fence out to five metres, with no evidence that any particular pattern should emerge here. It is expected however that runners will be able to make ground out wide, as well as up near the lead or on the pace. Some signs of fill from the middle of the track out should not impact on those runners coming to the middle of the track, however if rain comes, this area will chop out worse than the inside 5 metres closer to the fence.
Verdict: With the start of Group 1 racing we should see an even track, although rain about again is the unknown factor. It will present again in excellent order, providing a lush, good cover of kikuyu from the inside 5-8 metres. The track walks consistently throughout, including in the straight to the 5 metre line. The usual pattern of horses looking to come to the middle of the track from the 200 metres, should also be evident again. Recent racing shows evidence of fill out in this section. Look for horses winning from both up near the lead or on pace, but also coming from further back and fanning from the turn out towards the middle of the track. The track has played consistently this year and Saturday should be no different, with all horses getting their respective chances. The track remains a ‘Soft 5’ on Friday afternoon, with Stewards to further assess on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.
