Track walked at 12pm on Thursday 14 April 2023.
Winning post-1800 metres: Racing returns to the Course Proper after the Easter Oakbank weekend of racing and sees the rail pushed out 8 metres from the 1200 metres to the winning post and 5 metres from the true position for the remainder of the circumference. This gives another excellent pad heading up the Bray St side of the track, with virtually a fresh pad out there again, rated in the Good 4 range. The inside pad with the rail out presents very well and walks consistently, with excellent cover as we head into Carnival racing. At the time of walking on Thursday late morning towards noon, it walked in the ‘Good 4’ range in this area, with no difference between the fence and several horses away from it. The track was rated ‘Good 4’ on Friday morning and remains at this rating on a fine day, with some shower activity forecast this evening and tomorrow. An excellent grass coverage is present all around the circumference.
1800m-1200m: There is good grass coverage all the way around to the 1200 metres and the track walks consistently, following 17mm of irrigation and 4 mm of rain 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 wider out.
1200m-800m: This part of the track also presents extremely well and walked in the Good 4 range yesterday. The track continues to present well, although the April sees a slight downturn in the soil temperature and growing conditions start to level out from herein. There is very little sign of damage from racing since Cup Day as we are on a fresh pad.
800m-400m: 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. There is minimal wear on the fence and no horses should be disadvantaged on the fence. There is also some minor wear out to the two and three wide line, with slight fill expected to kick out if rain comes tomorrow.
400m-Winning Post: The track walked consistently in the Good 4 range on Thursday. The track has raced evenly over the last few months, with horses winning on the pace and from back in the field in recent meetings. The straight walks mostly consistent 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 minimal wear since Cup day on 13 March. Some signs of fill in the inside three horses should not impact on front runners, however if rain comes, this area will be avoided and jockeys will look to come to the middle of the track after a few races.
Verdict: With some good Black Type racing we should see an even track, although rain is the unknown factor. It will present in excellent order, providing a lush, good cover of kikuyu. The track walks consistently 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 this year and Saturday should be no different, with all horses getting their respective chances. Rain during the day is the unknown.
