Winning post-1800 metres: Metropolitan racing heads to Murray Bridge this Saturday for the annual Magic Millions meeting. After being out 8 metres, the rail comes back into the true position for the entire circumference. The inside pad presents well and walks consistently, with good cover. At the time of walking on Thursday morning, it walked in the ‘Good 3’ range in this area, with no difference between the fence and several horses away from it. The track was rated ‘Good 3’ on Thursday and it will be the intention of the club to present the track with a Good 4' rating on Saturday, subject to irrigation being applied today. There are reasonable moisture levels with cooler conditions this week and the track has seen the benefit of a month off.
1800m-1200m: There is good grass coverage all the way around to the 1200 metres and the track walks consistently in the Good 3 range. There will be no disadvantage to be away from the fence, in the two and three wide line, particularly with cover. This is a fresh pad of grass, so every horse gets its chance to race on even ground, despite being on the fence or wide.
1200m-800m: This part of the track also presents well and walks in the Good 3 range. The track has done well after a month off and there is no sign of damage from previous racing .
800m-400m: As horses commence their runs away from the fence, there is some damage evident from previous meetings and horses may be better off away from the fence as the day goes on out to the three and four wide line.
400m-Winning post: The track walks consistently in the Good range, with some further irrigation necessary as pump issues have the track a little firmer than would normally be the case. The track has raced evenly leading into the New Year, with horses winning on the pace and from back in the field in recent meetings. From the first meeting back, horses made ground out wide and the track raced fairly. The straight walks consistently from the fence out, with no evidence that any particular pattern should emerge here. It is expected that runners will also be able to make ground out wide, as well as up near the lead or on the pace, with plenty of room to spread out in the run home. Further out from the 8 metre line there is some wear and tear, but horses are not expected to be out this far until later in the straight.
Verdict: This time of the year produces good tracks generally, as growing conditions are at their most favourable, but this track looks to be in good condition, with reasonably fast times expected, depending on wind conditions. The track walks consistently in the Good range throughout, including in the straight, however irrigation issues. Look for horses coming from further back and fanning from the turn out towards the middle of the track. The track has played consistently lately and Saturday should be no different, with all horses getting their respective chances, depending on the pace of the races and wind conditions.
D J Bates, P Dickeson, D Shepherd, B J Gass, M Greenwood, A M Brewster, C A Boydon, A R Thornton, P Mills, A J Ryan, G Mandelos, J P Harrison & M W Woolford
Navy Blue, Old Gold Chevrons, Navy Blue Cap With Old Gold Seams
Owners
W B Kluske, Mrs A D Kluske, B G Kluske, Mrs V H Maddern, K Richardson, Mrs S R Richardson, Ms V F M Fuchs, S Cross, D J Bentley, Miss J A Barnes, Ms S T Broad, H J Collins, Mrs J Morgan, Mrs S Phelan & B Phelan
Blinkers OFF FIRST TIME, Ear Muffs (Pre-Race Only) FIRST TIME
Prize
$20,575
Racing colours
Dark Purple, Gold Lotus Flower, Diamonds Sleeves, Seams Cap
Owners
Rob Hickmott Racing Pty Ltd (Mgr: R L Hickmott), A Bensley, A Hodges, W J Mitchell, D V Godbee, E S Whitehead, M Kinder, I N Kinder, J C Lear, Mrs J E Whitehead, K R Smith, Half Slab (Mgr: R G Whelan), N A Collins, P Kinder, P W Lord, Ms R J Jones, S Young, E J Marshall & A J Anderson
W Butterfield, C Clarke, R Jones, J Lee, Mrs R Butterfield, A Butterfield, Miss C Francis, S Jacobson, M Baldock, Mrs A Baldock, G Ettridge, J Butterfield, Ms L Van Remmen, J Butterfield, J Hazeal, Warlang Racing (Mgr: R Warland), Mickey Duck Racing (Mgr: J Seal) & Seal Racing (Mgr: M Seal)
