 Tim Carroll 's Bio | |
|---|---|
| Tim started off as a jockey in Australia before pursuing a media career. He is a highly experienced and respected racing presenter who has been based in England since 2005. Tim has travelled the world covering many of the major meetings, including Royal Ascot, The Epsom Derby, The International meeting from Sha Tin, The Dubai World Cup, The Everest, The Saudi Cup and The Breeders. He is currently a presenter for Sky Sports Racing, specialising in both the local and international scene. Tim is a regular contributor to the At The Races Website where his twice weekly tipping column on Hong Kong racing has gathered a strong following. | |
Ascot Racecourse – Track Analysis (King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day):
Ascot is a large right-handed galloping triangular shaped track, just over 2800m in circumference, with a straight run of 500m on the round course. There is a straight 1600m course, which all races below 1600m are held. There are two start points for races run over 1600m, one on the round course and the other on the straight course.
The track was redeveloped in 2005 and the ground in the straight drains quicker than the rest of the course, meaning ground descriptions can vary. Being a large track with an uphill finish dragging almost the entire straight, Ascot suits hold-up horses, and front-runners need to be ridden conservatively to ensure they save energy.
The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day sees four races run on the straight course, the 1200m Princess Margaret Stakes, the 1400m Pat Eddery Stakes, the 3yo+ Handicap and the 1600m 3yo 86-105 Handicap. On the straight course the low barriers are drawn on the far side with high numbers closest to the grandstand rail. In smaller fields over 1200m, 1400m and 1600m they tend to come down the middle, but in larger fields they can split into two or even three groups. The straight course draw results will vary, but it is advisable to look for the speed angle, especially in bigger fields, as the winner usually comes from where the pace is in the race, and results are more pace-dependent than draw-dependent.
The two races on the round course are the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and the 3yo+ 66-85 Handicap, which are both run over 2392m.The draw on the round course is of little consequence. Over 2392m they start at the top of the back straight and have a nice long straight run downhill before levelling out at Swinley Bottom and turning into a steady straight rise down the side of the course onto a sweeping home turn entering the straight which is mostly uphill over 500m. Horses on the front will be afforded every opportunity in steady run races, but races run at a decent gallop will suit backmarkers as the uphill rise will takes its toll on those ridden aggressively.
In last year's King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the ground was described as Good to Firm, and only three runners went to post. ENABLE, who was the warm favourite and was trying to become the first horse to win the race three-times, sat behind Irish Derby winner, SOVEREIGN, who at one point was 6 lengths in front. However, ENABLE was always travelling much the best throughout and took up the running 300m out before recording an effortless wide margin success in a time slightly faster than standard, with SOVEREIGN and JAPAN in second and third respectively.
The weather forecast is predicting mostly clear days with temperatures in the low to mid 20s until race day. If that’s the case then the ground should be Good, however, there is the chance of rain on race day and track conditions can change quickly due to the soft-based nature of European tracks.
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