October
SeptemberRail ruminations
I have a theory about the Valley track. I’m not sure whether it’s due to the different type of grass (Strathayr) used at the Valley, and the way it compacts under pressure, but the best ground always seems to be the ground that has seen the most recent use — unlike other tracks.
The track is always fairest when in the true position. The track management seem to use a method of gradual rail movements out, then resetting it to the true position after four or five meetings (usually for the bigger days).
Usually after racing in the true position they move it out 2-3m for the next meeting. This 2-3m strip of ground, which has seen the most recent use, seems to provide a "fast lane", resulting in an ugly leaders’ track.
The August 21 meeting at the Valley saw a rail position of 4m (out from 3m the previous meeting). After seeing the way the track raced, I think we can agree there was a "hot spot" very close to the rail. The majority of winners either led hard against the rail or settled on the fence and made their run near the rail.
I reckon this "fast lane" was such because it was the part of the track that had seen the most recent traffic.
So what’s the solution? They could try the reverse — gradual inward rail movements. However, this could cause more issues. For example a rail movement of 3-4m inwards would see the best ground being more than 4m out — swoopers suited.
I think the best solution, but not perfect, is for large rail movements, with rail back to true from the widest possible placement for the marquee days.
Obviously this would be tough during the summer with near-weekly night meetings, but wasn’t the idea of the StrathAyr that it could handle plenty of racing?
Won’t happen, though. I saw Bruce Clark’s interview with the track manager ahead of last Saturday’s meeting.
Bruce asked if he was expecting a fair track after the previous one was a leaders’ paradise, and he said he thought it raced fairly, so they aren’t even admitting there’s an issue.
Queanbeyan (NSW)