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Chapter Eight: The all-weather tracks There are five tracks in Britain boasting an artificial all weather surface, although only four of these are currently active. Lingfield is the oldest and staged the very first all weather meeting in Britain on it's new Equitrack surface back in 1989. Southwell came soon thereafter, and then in 1993 Wolverhampton joined the ranks, and at the same time became Britain's first floodlit racecourse. For the next thirteen years these three courses delivered flat racing action through the winter months, and often kept the bookmaking industry ticking over when jumps meetings had been cancelled due to the weather. In March 2006 Kempton joined the ranks with the newest generation of Polytrack and a floodlighting system to allow evening racing. It also became the only right-handed all weather track in the UK. We briefly enjoyed five tracks when Great Leighs was opened, but the operating company soon went into administration and sadly the track currently sits unused. Despite the growth in all weather racing the standard of information made available about each course remains sub-standard, certainly when compared to the turf tracks. The going at these courses can be described as anything from firm, through good/firm, good, good/soft, soft, and heavy. Whilst punters watching the all weather racing have to put up with Standard and reports from the jockeys. Analysis of winning times gives clear evidence that the going on all weather tracks does vary from venue to venue, and indeed from day to day. Essentially, there are two factors that will determine the going on an all weather track - the weather, and the way the surface is prepared. Track preparation involves harrowing the surface to break it up, and rolling which has the opposite effect of compacting the surface. At Southwell for example, if a frost is forecast then the course will be harrowed deeper, and this has the effect of slowing the track down. By contrast, when the track is rolled after rain it quickens the surface considerably and it rides fast. Surely it would not be too much to ask that course officials give their opinion of how a track is likely to ride, given they know how the surface has been prepared.
Lingfield
Address: Website: www.lingfield-racecourse.co.uk
Lingfield Park will always be able to boast the very first all weather meeting to be staged in Britain. On October 30th 1989 Niklas Angel won the first race. Twelve successful years then passed by before the course started to experience problems and lost meetings with the tired and worn Equitrack surface. A brand new Polytrack surface was put down in 2001 which could withstand freezing temperatures down to minus 12 degrees centigrade. It provided more cushioning and was less jarring than the old track, which could be as hard as concrete in rainy conditions. Another benefit of the new track was noticeably less kickback and this was popular with jockeys and trainers alike. The course made history again on July 9th 2005 when it became the first artificial track to stage a Group race. The Ladbrokes Silver Trophy had been re-directed from Ascot and it was won by Autumn Glory. Unlike the other tracks, Lingfield is quite contoured and has a definite downhill section. Similar to Epsom Downs it suits horses that are well balanced and do not mind running downhill. The old Equitrack surface was notorious for its harsh kickback, and often a horse that could get to the front early would not be passed. The new Polytrack surface is much better. Polytrack is also much easier to manipulate, and this versatility allows the course staff to vary the going across the whole width of the track. Often the strip against the far rail is slower than the rest of the track. In races over 7f and a mile, those horses drawn middle to high have a small edge, as the longer run to the first bend allows horses from higher stalls more time to gain a decent position. However, the only significant draw bias is over 1m2f. There is such a short run to the first bend that high drawn horses can find it difficult to get into the race and will regularly lose five or six lengths. Horses expending the extra energy early on to secure a good position will often be overtaken in the finishing straight.
Wolverhampton
Address: Website: www.wolverhampton-racecourse.co.uk
Wolverhampton has had a race course since 1887 but it was not until 1993 that floodlit all weather racing was pioneered at Dunstall Park. The old turf course had been revamped with the addition of the artificial track around the inside. Most of the racing was on the all weather, with a handful of jumps races throughout the year. The venue was purchased by Arena Leisure in 1999. By 2001 and after seven years in use, the surface had become worn out and was deteriorating. Drainage was becoming a problem and in extreme cases of cold or wet weather the course became unraceable - not good for business. During the summer Arena Leisure put in 140 new drains, and laid 7,000 tons of new fibresand. In 2004 both the turf track and the artificial fibresand track were taken up and replaced with a brand new Polytrack course. The new course is slightly bigger than the old artificial course, and it is closer to the stands. A bigger course also means the bends are less severe than before. Although the surface is similar to that at Lingfield, it rides much slower, and which often suits runners produced late. In the 5f races those drawn 4 to 6 generally have the edge as low stall horses can get trapped on the rail, and wider horses have too much ground to make up. 6f races are different because horses have the whole length of the straight to secure a position. But in the 7f races they are very quickly into a bend and wide drawn horses have to go the long way around to get to the front.
Southwell
Address: Website: www.southwell-racecourse.co.uk
Southwell is the only track with a fibresand surface. It is suited to galloping horses with its long straights and wide sweeping bends. However, the track rides slowest of the all weather courses as the surface is often harrowed deep, especially in dry or frosty weather. Front runners do not fare as well as elsewhere, and runners produced late do better. It is also a good idea when considering a horse, to look for form in extent of the distance they are running to make sure they get the trip. Kickback from the fibresand is worse than on Polytrack and often the shorter races at Southwell will develop from the front. When the course was refurbished in 2004 with second-hand fibresand from the old Wolverhampton track, the draw bias changed. Low numbers are now at a disadvantage. In fact, after the refurbishment only one horse won from stall number one in the first 125 races. I will always think twice about backing a horse if it is due to come from stalls one or two. On the straight 5f course the horses drawn low have the edge. They have the advantage of the faster part of the track for the first few furlongs, and then the opportunity to grab the middle strip when they join the course proper. You may read publications or hear pundits talking about the advantage of being drawn high. Trust me, since the 2004 refurbishment this is not valid.
Kempton
Address: Website: www.kempton.co.uk
The first racing fixture took place at Kempton Park on Thursday 18th July 1878 after a businessman found the grounds for sale. The venue is perhaps best known for the annual King George VI Steeplechase which has been run since 1937 and includes past winners such as Arkle, Desert Orchid, Best Mate, and today's jumps star Kauto Star. During the War the course was used as a military depot and also as a prisoner of war camp. Since 1947 racing has been held at the course continuously, until it closed on May 2nd 2005 for re-development. On the 25th March it re-opened at a cost of 18.5million pounds and the public had a brand new (right-handed) floodlit all weather track.
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