Winning post-1800 metres: Adelaide Cup Day sees the rail back into the true position for the circumference, presenting an excellent pad following the Lord Reims Stakes meeting, where the rail was out 8 metres from the true position from the 1200 metres to the WP and then 4 metres.
The inside pad presents extremely well and walks consistently, with excellent cover as we head into a solid ten weeks of Carnival racing. At the time of walking on Thursday morning, it walked in the ‘Soft 5’ range in this area, with no difference between the fence and several horses away from it. The track was rated ‘Soft 5’ on Thursday and remains at this rating on Friday morning. With some showers around earlier, blue skies should see the track come back into the ‘Good 4’ rating on Monday. An excellent grass coverage is present all around the circumference.
1800m-1200m: There is excellent grass coverage all the way around to the 1200 metres and the track walks consistently, following showers during the week. 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 extremely well and walks in the Soft 5 range. The track has thrived in the last month and continues to present well. There is no sign of damage from racing a fortnight ago as we are on a fresh pad.
800m-400m: As horses commence their runs away from the fence, there is consistent ground from the fence out to the three and four wide line. Good moisture levels remain on this part, right through to the finish.
400m-Winning: The track walks consistently in the Soft 5 range. The track has raced evenly leading into Christmas and New Year and since, 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.
Verdict: Cup Day should see an even and Good track, with the track peaking for our feature staying event of the year. It will present in excellent order, following the surface being mown on Thursday morning to provide a lush, tight cover of kikuyu on Monday. With warm weather forecast leading into race day and on Monday, it should make ideal conditions for racing. The track walks consistently in the Good range throughout, including in the straight. Look for horses winning from both up near the lead or on pace near the fence, but also coming from further back and fanning from the turn out towards the middle of the track. The track has played consistently lately and Monday should be no different, with all horses getting their respective chances.
White, Royal Blue Sides, White, Orange And Royal Blue Hooped Sleeves, Orange Cap
Owners
M Hinkley, Ms J Hinkley, B M Clark, Ms S E Coglin, Miss C M Wargent, M J Wilson, J Muir, S g Hodskiss, A W Brownless, D R Ciavola, H A Woodman, Gunnadidit (Mgr: S Campbell), Mundiwa Pastoral Co)(Mgr: C A Landale), Miller Thoroughbreds(Mgr: A S E Miller) & Kildalton Park Racing (Mgr: D Gordon
Merricks Station (Mgr: B Cooper), Ms T D Stoll, P L Cooper, J J De Marco, Mrs S De Marco, J Docherty, Mrs R Docherty, M R Hood, N Lo Presti, Mrs F Lo Presti, P D Thomson, Mrs R J Thomson, S Abrahams, Ms C A Jacobs, Miss J E Wallace, M C & C (Mgr: Mrs S Kitching) & B Drumbell
R H Montague, D J Tamblyn, D J Tamblyn, M B Closter, D W Lilley, Mrs S Lilley, Mrs S M Montague, M Grogan, S J Miller, D M Meehan, S J Miller, D L Russell, D R Fleming, L Caminiti, D T Moxon, J Carmichael & P G Parsons To The Top Racing, Burston Racing & Mes Chevaux
