AW Fibresand: left-handed; oval 1m2f circuit outside turf course; extension to home straight gives 5f start.
Background Info:
The second oldest all-weather track after Lingfield opened for business in 1989. Due to it's unique surface and fierce kickback, it has produced it's fair share of specialists down the years, and not just of the equine variety. In its early days, trainer David Barron and stable jockey Alex Greaves, whose nickname was 'the Queen of Southwell', were the scourge of bookmakers.
Nowadays, while it's fairly one-dimensional style of racing may not be everyone's cup of tea, it is the one all-weather track where punters still have an edge for the reasons given below.
Track Bias:
It has been shown repeatedly down the years that prominent racers with a high cruising speed have a big edge over their hold-up counterparts in all races up to 1m, and especially so over 5f. Over middle distances and further, the ability to stay the trip is the primary concern. Races are generally fought out in the centre of the course, although there have been enough winners against either rail in recent times to suggest that racing in that part of the track is not a disadvantage.
Unlike the Polytracks, the weather is a significant factor here. During long dry spells or when there has been plenty of hard frosts, the surface rides deeper and becomes more testing, placing a greater emphasis on stamina. In these conditions, the kickback is also more severe, meaning it is often an advantage to race wider, even if that means forfeiting ground.
Draw Bias:
The track is generally pretty fair, with the only significant bias in favour of low to middle over 6f and 7f. However, backing a hold-up horse drawn low at either distance (and over 5f and 1m) isn't ideal as they will face the worst of the kickback.
Key Players:
Chris Catlin and Neil Callan ride the track better than most, while the up-and-coming Pat Cosgrave has built up a broad base of contacts which should ensure the winners keep flowing this winter. Following him blindly in 2008 would have yielded a level-stakes profit of over £30.
In the training ranks, Mark Johnston does particularly well with his three-year-olds (26% winners to runners), while Hughie Morrison has an impressive one-in-five strike rate in the past five seasons. Interestingly, this is the only all-weather track where Gary Moore has recorded a level-stakes loss in the last five seasons.
Inside Info:
Check out Hughie Morrison's website for his latest stats and entries: http://www.hughiemorrison.co.uk/
Make It Pay:
The progeny of certain sires take to the all-weather better than others, and the progeny of Captain Rio (and his sire Pivotal), do particularly well on the Fibresand surface. Combined with the other factors above, this is a serious weapon in a bettingpro punter's armoury.
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