Winning Post-1500m:
Racing returns to the Parks track again tomorrow, again in the Soft 7 when walked on Thursday lunchtime. The rail is out 6 metres from the 1000metres to the Winning Post and stays in the 3 metres out range for the remainder.
1500-800m (back straight):
The back straight of this track walks very well with a very good cover of grass and only very minimal marking from last week. If there is any marking on the fence to speak of it’s at the 1200m where last week's traffic on the fence is visible for about 100 metres prior to the rail blending out around this bottom turn of the course.
With the rail going out to the 6mt position along the Park Tce side of the track it provides a clean surface with no damage from last week. An excellent cover of grass coming off the 1400m chute joins onto this area and this whole section is in great order.
1400m-800m (chute):
Even and good grass coverage during this section remains and will race evenly on and away from the fence. Horses will not be disadvantaged racing slightly away from the fence in this section of the track, with new ground on the fence and out wider. This is the best part of the track as expected and remains well knitted with a good thatch of kikuyu present for this time of the year.
800m-400m:
With the rail out 6 metres, any fill from the last week races is mostly protected on the circle and turning for home. The coverage is even except for the fence where there are still signs of damage on the fence. It walks consistently away from the fence and as expected, fields will start to fan into the straight, with a consistent coverage of grass in this area. From the two wide line out, is in very good order.
400m-Winning Post:
Entering the straight you can see last week’s marking is spread further across the track and has less effect on this week’s races with very little damage to speak of. There are some signs of wear early in the straight on the fence and although this is minimal and you may see runners drifting off the fence rounding the home turn as the day goes on. For the remainder of the straight it presents fairly evenly and with no track gallops on the outside of this track for the past two weeks it makes it achievable for the swoopers to finish off on a clean deck. Even with the rail out on this track it is no disadvantage for the back markers.
Verdict:
With the Soft 7 rating, the track has taken the weeks rainfall very well. The track looks healthy and for most part of it we are on a clean Racing ground for Saturday, with little damage as the rail is out. With only the odd shower forecast between now and Saturday it would not be surprising if this track gets into the Soft 6 range by race time.
