Winning Post-1600m: General wear and tear in this section with sandfill across the inside 3 lanes. Where the 2000m chute joins the course proper (~1800m mark), the inside two lanes are inferior and I'd rather be off the fence in this section. However it is not a high-speed area so may have minimal effect on end performance. Grass coverage is only moderate here and I thought walked in the '5.5' range and was probably the slowest part of the track.
1800m chute-800m (back straight): The inside section improves here up until the 1400m mark where I thought the inside two lanes were slightly inferior again. There is more noticeable wear and sandfill closer to the fence in this section which may be a disadvantage. As you approach the 900m mark the inside improves again to parity against outside lanes but I felt being off the fence down the back would be an edge overall. Coverage here is quite good and it walks as a '5'.
1200m chute-800m: Better coverage in this section courtesy of horses running in a straight line through this area. Track only just in the '5' range here apart from the small section where the chute joins the course proper which is always inferior and coverage is sparce. Headwind here was noticeable and may again be on Saturday.
800m-400m: Greener growth closer to the fence which might mean it holds more moisture and races slightly slower than wider lanes. Guessing hard up on the rail may not be the go here. Coverage isn't too bad and walked as a '5'. Again, the headwind was of note.
400m-Winning Post: Quite even across but didn't think hard up on the fence was going to be a spoil. Also thought lanes 9 and 10 were slightly softer but not a lot of difference between lanes 2-8 and that's where I expect most of the jockeys to aim for. The last 100m is very uniform and no lanes of advantage there.
Verdict: I thought the inside couple of lanes was inferior in enough sections of the track for it to amount to a disadvantage overall, particularly in races beyond 1200m. The wind will have an impact on chute races and when coupled with the inside lanes being slightly slower it won't surprise me to see a pattern that suits horses with cover peeling out wide. I'd rather draw out than in as a general rule.
Minella Bloodstock (Mgr: M J Hickmott), D P Hirst, P V Grix, M Kendrick, Jessica Gordon (Mgr: D K Gordon), D J Holmes, R A Buckley, Mrs S Buckley, A Maloney, D Loy, J Pratt, K Perry & B O'Brien
Brown, White Crossed Sashes, Striped Sleeves And Cap
Owners
W T Clarken, A S Kittel, M J Doyle, B Pike, T A Shorland, K G Setford, P J McLean, T Needham, T J Stewart, H W Tunkin, C J Fort, M J Adams, H A Shorland & BTX Racing (Mgr: S Piek)
Black, White M, Pink And White Striped Sleeves, Pink Cap, White Pom Pom
Owners
S Bickley, Mrs K A Bickley, B J Rogers, A T Biacsi, B J Nash, B O'flaherty, A Boyd, B Willox, N Panozzo, T N Newson, Ms M Sullivan, B J Smith, J P Smith, J Hastie, L Marriott, M Vanschayk, Harvey Racing & Breeding (Mgr: D Harvey), Flemington Bloodstock, NDC Racing (Mgr: P McDonald) & Tabby Racing
Ear Muffs OFF FIRST TIME, Lugging Bit AGAIN, Nasal Strip OFF FIRST TIME, Norton Bit OFF FIRST TIME, Tongue Tie AGAIN
Prize
$29,550
Racing colours
Purple, White Quarters, Checked Sleeves, White Cap
Owners
Mrs A McDonnell, J S Mcdonnell, Team Mcdonnell (Mgr: J S Mcdonnell), Pipeliner Bloodstock Pty Ltd (Mgr: W G Mitchell), A N Gilchrist, G March, N J Russell, L Lusty, B J Baker, Mrs T Robinson & Oliver Racing (Mgr: Dr P J Oliver)
Ms T Hartwell, Dr J Sinclair, F De Pasquale, N Stratfold, A Grantham, F Studd, B Pickard, M Simmonds, G Brown, Ms S Simmonds, C Bubner, Mrs K Bubner, L Bailey, P De Pasquale, Mrs L Stratfold, Cape Canaveral Syndicate, Who's Next (A Hryhorec), Hawkin Racing (T Busbridge) & Choclatte (C Hryhorec)
