Winning Post – 1800m: With this area horses are pulling up and the inside section has a nice cushion feel to it, this section will be used in the 2500m which is race 2 of the day but seems even.
1800m – 1200m: With the rail back in the True there is a section of the inside with a fresh pad of grass and walks with some nice give in the surface, the track walks slightly firmer 4-5 horses off the fence but given the long down the back run most horses would of found a settling position closer to the rail.
1200m – 800m: This section of the track walks very consistent with the inside lanes more lush and less force with the going stick given the fresh patch with previous rail movements out.
800m – 400m: The track continues to walk even from this point with some light scuff marks around the 600m from a previous meeting in lanes 4-5, the inside is well prepared and feels on the stick to give a nice comfortable feel for horses and riders. The sprinklers were busy in this section and the profile of the track had some good moisture backing up the good 4 rating for now.
400m – WP: The straight walks perfect along the inside lanes with the rail back in the true, some very minor scuff marks 4-5 off the fence but the track seems to have recovered well. The track walked even but given the inside the grass being more thicker and hasn’t been used for a while we might have a slight advantage along the fence.
Verdict – The track walks even overall, the key will be the rail back in the true for the first time in 2 months where the track played very consistent across the day with leaders and backmarkers winning. The key components will be how quick the track will dry out which will be no surprise given the hot conditions expected. The club will look to keep as much irrigation on the surface but expecting an early upgrade due to the warm day ahead.
Track walked 10am Friday 31st December - by Dean Pettit
Cross-over Nose Band OFF FIRST TIME, Ear Muffs (Pre-Race Only) OFF FIRST TIME, Tongue Control Bit OFF FIRST TIME, Winkers OFF FIRST TIME
Prize
$103,300
Racing colours
Black, Teal Lightning Bolt, White And Teal Stars Sleeves, Teal And Black Stars Cap
Owners
M V Thompson, Mrs C R Thompson, D Edwards, R B Ransom, K R Ransom, B G Abbot, J F Coltman, P J Hardacre, Miss S Thompson, Ms J Didwell, H Calderwood & G Fix
A Maloney, A Beaton, Carty Racing, B A Carp, A D Wolff, Dr B M Carp, P Cherny, D M Briskin, N Sable, G D Peer, M A Herskope, Miss P V McKenzie, S Kazakis, M Churchill, J A O'neill, R M Brott, Seven Sovereigns, MarbleD Racing, A L Kirkwood-Scott & M Bowd
North Vic Racing (Mgr: R Still), The Circus (Mgr: D M O'Callaghan), P Byers, P A Cardamone, G A Dempsey, Mrs K Dempsey, M W Byers, W R Byers, G H Hogan, R D Kerry, P Quattrocchi, G A McGee, Mrs E M McGee, W V Leppard & S Wood
C M Bieg, Ms S Sperenini-Bieg, J M Heath, Dr H Meyer, P A Mauger, D C Thomas, Ms N Rantanen Reynolds, D G Reynolds, A D Taylor, M D Pickering, N I Dinning, R A Bosher & Mrs M K Roberts