Winning Post-1800m: Still a slightly softer section than the rest of the track courtesy of horses pulling up after the post. No lanes of significance and didn't notice anything of note here. Walks on the softer side of a Good 4.
1800m-1200m: Nothing between the inside 4 lanes in this section. Walks like a genuine Good 4 track and coverage is good. Approaching the 1200m turn the ground has slightly more give in it but can't see it chopping out with six of the nine races starting from the chute.
1200m-800m:There is general wear and tear across the surface but thought the inside two lanes were slightly less even. Any rain on Friday or race day will probably emphasise that and it may become a disadvantage. However, assuming dry conditions it won't be overly consequential.
800m-400m: Couldn't find much difference across the inside six lanes which should result in a fair track leading into the straight. There is some give in the surface but still walks a Good 4 and the fine weather on Friday will evaporate any moisture.
400m-Winning Post: There is wear out wide from about lane 8 onwards but only those peeling very wide will find it. Also thought lanes 1 and 2 had more sandfill than other parts of the track and it may not prove to be the fastest going. Any rain will once again magnify the difference in lanes but that looks unlikely. I thought lanes 3-7 would be the preferred going. Walks a '4'.
Verdict: Not a heap to report, I think the track will race well. Rain is unlikely so the only bit of information that might be useful is to be wary of lanes 1 and 2 in the straight which I think walk slower. The track is in the middle of the '4' range and with good weather it should stay there for race day.
White, Royal Blue Sides, White, Orange And Royal Blue Hooped Sleeves, Orange Cap
Owners
P Donovan, Pipeliner Bloodstock Pty Ltd (Mgr: W G Mitchell), A Shelton, D N Parkinson, J Baker, Mrs S R Smith, P H Smith, G C Babich, Dr N J Babich, Mrs R Smith, D P Smith, R Shelton, Ms J Bloomfield, K Parish, A Jackson, J Keem, T Ladlow, M J Muszkieta, B J Young & Paint It Red (Mgr: C W Stone)
Royal Blue, White Seams, Hooped Sleeves, White Cap
Owners
Ms J Heaney, C McLean, Mrs M Holton, R Warnock, N Holton, Mrs P Southern-Ninnis, P Ninnis, J Atkinson, R Holton, Ms C Holton, C Reynolds, S Rolls, Mrs S Reynolds, Mrs L Warnock, Ms M White, Ms R Atkinson, G Conron, G S Dankert
M M Grande, P J Seears, Mrs H S Seears, R S Nance, G D Mittiga, Mrs S A Mittiga, Mrs S E Huxtable, R J Eley, Mrs M A Eley, M B Millbank, Mrs S J Millbank & C De Michele
R B R, J P Cottee, Mrs E Likanse-Cottee, T G O'Halloran, Boys N Beer, G W Cook, L K Little, Miss H Van Rossen, Ms K A Owen, S A Cruttenden, C Connors, S J Lake, J M Vicary, Mrs B Vicary, B J Martin, P J Martin, Mrs R A Balfour & M J Kelly
