AW Polytrack: right-handed; 5f, 1m2f races use inner course; 6f, 7f, 1m, 1m3f, 1m4f, 2m races use outer (top) course.
Background Info:
Kempton scrapped it's turf flat course and re-opened as a state-of-the-art floodlit Polytrack in March 2008. It comprises an outer and inner track, where the middle course joins the top one at the intersection two furlongs from home at the point where the false running rail drops away on the top course.
The course is patronised by the top flat trainers, including Henry Cecil and Sir Michael Stoute, and the overall standard of racing is arguably as high and competitive as it was on turf. In fact, the last two St Leger winners, Lucarno and Conduit, raced here during the early part of their careers.
On March 18th, 2009, the course is set to stage the inaugural running of the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes, with the winner guaranteed a berth in the 2009 Kentucky Derby held at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.
Track Bias:
Like Great Leighs, the surface is a consistent one with minimal kickback and horses can win from just about anywhere. However, in races over 5f, in which the runners are on the turn until they join the straight, prominent racers and front runners hold a big advantage over the hold-up horses. The outer course, which stages races over all other distances (apart from 1m2f), places a much greater emphasis on stamina, especially in truly run races.
Draw Bias:
High numbers have the edge over all distances as a high draw helps those horses with early speed to take a handy pitch. Saying that, horses have been able to win from wide (low) draws up to 1m this year, and any draw over 1m2f.
Key Players:
John Gosden and William Haggas are trainers with strike rates of around 22% here, while Marco Botti (19%) and David Simcock (17%) are also worth following this winter. Richard Hughes and Jim Crowley are two tactically astute riders to concentrate on. They rarely get beat by going too fast, so in-running punters should note when they are riding from the front, as their mount is probably running at a pace it is comfortable with.
Inside Info:
Check out Marco Botti's website for his latest stats and entries: http://www.marcobotti.co.uk/
Make It Pay:
Look out for Italian raiders. Italy has its own all-weather racing at Campanelle and Italian trainers have made successful raids here, the latest being Salvatore Tarantella whose Il Grande Maurizio won at 16/1 in October 2008.
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