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NewsRandwick track problems continue
21 February 2015 12:57 PM
Many racing commentators and form analysts have recently documented their concerns about the state of the track at New South Wales' racing headquarters, Randwick racecourse. More and more punters that I speak to are complaining about the unfair surface and are voting with their feet by either having smaller bets at races run there, or in some cases not betting at all.
The issues that have been raised are many. Robbie Waterhouse summarised them best back in July last year.
- Track remains affected longer than it should;
- Track bias at the track is a common outcome with jockeys more often than not turning for home away from the fence.
- The surface is "shifty" or inconsistent, increasing the randomness of race results.
- Track deteriorates during race day and doesn't wear well with racing.
Sydney Morning Herald 27 July 2014
It seemed that curators had got it right at the start of the year with some surprisingly slick race times and consistent running across the track. Racing on Apollo Stakes Day however boardered on embarassing, and confirmed that the challenges haven't gone away. With no racing in three weeks prior to race day and only 6 mls of rain followed by heat and sunshine in the week before they ran, the Randwick surface lacked consistency and was described as 'quick sand' along the rails. Jockeys were once again forced to steer the horse's wide of the rail as they straigtened for home and those that didn't finished nowhere near the place getters.
Several favourites like Lucia Valentina and Driefontein on the day were clearly impacted by the track conditions resulting in less than desirable finishing positions.
Caulfield shows how it's done
In stark contrast, the first race meeting at Caulfield's newly laid surface a few weeks ago was a complete success. The surface was reported by all as 'perfect' with leaders and back markers winning on the day and with winners running home close to the rail, in the middle of the track and out wide. So if Caulfield curators can get it right then why can't Randwick?
I have no idea what the issue is but I am sure it isn't an easy thing to fix as it wouldn't have dragged on for this long. One thing is for sure however, if it is not addressed soon, punters will look elsewhere when they bet and the New South Wales racing industry will suffer as a result.
Mike Steward
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