 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. | |
Goodwood Racecourse – Track Analysis (Sussex Stakes Day)
Goodwood is one of the most spectacular and unique racecourses in the world. The track is right-handed with two home bends, and all races over 1400m, 1600m and 2200m enter the straight via the lower bend, whilst all others enter via the top bend. The run in from the top bend and lower bend are approximately 900m and 750m respectively, but given the nature of the turns and the downhill gradient, it is considered a sharp track, favouring those on the speed, particularly in shorter races. Horses that are held up off the pace can run into trouble, particularly those on the rail. The track has a straight course with starting points over 1000m and 1200m.
Sussex Stakes Day sees seven races on the card. Two of those on the straight course are the 1000m G3 Molecomb Stakes and 2yo Fillies Conditions. The straight 1000m course runs downhill and is one of the fastest in the country. Speedy types do have an advantage and horses that are slow to break or sit at the back, especially in bigger fields, find it difficult to win. Low draws, which are on the far side rail, are favourable for horses with speed.
The five races on the round course including the 2398m 3yo 0-105 Handicap, the 1979m 3yo+ Fillies and Mares 86-105 Handicap, the 1400m G3 Oak Tree Stakes and World Pool Handicap, and the feature race 1600m G1 Sussex Stakes. It is generally considered there is no draw bias on the round course, but my own research suggests horses drawn middle to low over 1400m and 1600m have an advantage in larger fields. In the Sussex Stakes the field will jump from halfway up the back straight where they briefly go downhill before climbing uphill then onto the lower bend into the 750m straight.
In last year's Sussex Stakes the ground was Good in what was a high-quality renewal. KAMEKO had the early lead before CIRCUS MAXIMUS took over after 200m and led the field into the straight with VATICAN CITY and KAMEKO close behind. The outsider of the field, SAN DONATO was the first to challenge making a quick dash from the back with SISKIN dropping into his trail. At the same time the eventual winner, MOHAATHER, was disappointed for a run on the inside and switched to follow SISKIN. SAN DONATO quickly conceded whilst CIRCUS MAXIMUS continued to find more on the inside. But MOHAATHER picked up in stylish fashion after a tough commute to run over the top of both CIRCUS MAXIMUS and SISKIN with KAMEKO unlucky in behind having not found a way out. The time was 1.65 seconds slower than standard.
The weather has been warm in Great Britain and with very little rain forecast before race-day, the ground is likely to be good and could even be on the firm side if the forecast is correct.
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