Winning post-1800 metres: Metro racing heads to Murray Bridge this Saturday and is on the quick back up with the rail staying in the same position as Monday’s meeting. The inside sections walks with enough grass cover with some minor marks and wear and tear with the inside 3 lanes. At the present time of it being walked, it walked in the ‘Soft 5’ range throughout, with no difference between the fence and several horses away from it. The weather leading into the meeting is predicted as sunny with no rain expected until race day.
1800m-1200m: There is solid grass coverage all the way around to the 1200 metres and the track walks consistently in the Soft 5 range. There will be no disadvantage to be away from the fence, and at this stage of the track again some minor scuff marks along the inside lanes. With only one staying race on the program we shouldn’t see this section chop out throughout the day.
1200m-800m: This part of the track also walks and presents as a “Soft 5” with some minor scuff marks along the inside due to some heavy traffic from the Monday meeting, the track staff have plugged a few areas and should hold together nicely for the Saturday meeting .
800m-400m: My feel is some riders will slowly start to make runs away from the inside with some deeper scuff marks along the inside with horses may be better off away from the inside as the day goes on out to the three and four wide lane as they build into the straight which is typical for a Murray Bridge meeting.
400m-Winning post: The track walks with decent Winter grass cover and walks in the “Soft 5” range, with some rain predicted on race day we will see little to no irrigation added to stay in the better side of the Soft 5 range. The track raced somewhat even on Monday with winners coming from multiple lanes and leaders to back markers winning. The straight walks with some minor marks along the inside lanes which some riders may opt to come away from the fence. The track walks with no evidence that any particular pattern should emerge here.
Verdict: With the track on the back up from Monday and the rail staying in the same position the entire we may see riders go looking for fresh lanes and see horses running on late. The inside is showing signs of wear and tear from the Monday meeting but minor scuff marks. The grass cover presents well with the base and profile not holding too much moisture which should mean we have a nice typical winter track to play on.
