 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 (Commonwealth Cup 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 (including the length of the straight course), Ascot suits hold-up horses, and front-runners need to be ridden conservatively to ensure they save energy.
Commonwealth Cup Day, day 4 of the Royal Ascot meeting see’s seven turf races for coverage.
For the races on the round course, the 1594m G1 Coronation Stakes, they start from a chute at the top of the course on the right-hand side, and re-joins the course proper midway through the Swinley Bottom. In other words, from the lowest point of the entire Round Course, they will attack straight up a steady incline before hitting the home bend and entering the 500m straight, meanwhile racing continuously uphill, all the way to the finish. There is no draw bias, but horses ridden with restraint usually do well.
Both G2 King Edward VII Stakes and the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes are over 2392m. The draw on the round course is of little consequence, although high drawn horses do have a good record in both of these races in recent years. Over 2392m they start at the top of the back straight and have a nice long downhill run before levelling out at Swindley Bottom and turning into a straight that gently rises down the side of the course onto a sweeping home turn entering the 500m uphill straight. Horses on the front will be afforded every opportunity in steadily run races, but races run at a decent gallop will suit back-markers as the uphill rise will take its toll on those ridden aggressively.
For the four races on the straight course, the 1000m Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes, the 1200m G3 Albany Stakes and the G1 Commonwealth Cup, as well as the 1600m Sandringham Stakes, in smaller fields they tend to come down the centre of the track, but can split into two and sometimes even three groups in larger fields. With the straight course being uphill nearly all the way, speed horses do have a decent record over this trip, but if they go too quickly on the front, the closers will dominate for 1000m. However, the further they go the more it suits horses ridden patiently, and those ridden with restraint normally do well.
The feature race G1 Commonwealth Cup is a recent edition to the Royal meeting, with the first running held in 2015. In this particular race, they have come down the centre in all eight renewals, only twice have they split into two groups in 2018 and last year, when they came centre and far side. Given the uphill nature of the straight course, its no surprise that seven of the winners have either sat mid division or been held-up, although Campanelle in 2021 made all, which is the only time the race has been run on Heavy going. The average field size for the race is 15.3, whilst the average winning barrier is 7.1.
Last year’s Commonwealth Cup saw a field of 20 go to post. On jumping the field was spread across the track, but soon split into two groups, with the majority coming down the centre, although a few stayed to the far side but away from the rail. There were several who contested the lead, including FLOTUS, FLAMING RIB, GO BEARS GO and GIS A SUB, whilst PERFECT POWER and EL CABALLO were both held-up, the former on the far side, and the latter on the near side. Approaching half way the two groups merged with several of the leaders still running strongly, however it was apparent that EL CABALLO, who didn’t enjoy the firm ground, was under pressure, whilst PERFECT POWER still had plenty more to offer. With 300m to run there was only two-lengths separating fourteen of the runners, and it was at this point Christophe Soumillion pulled PERFECT POWER out from behind the leaders on the far side, with the colt picking up strongly over the concluding stages, going on to win by just 1.25 lengths, with FLAMING RIB gamely holding on to second from FLOTUS.
The weather forecast suggests mostly sunny weather is expected for the fourth day although there is chance of light rain in the days leading up. If the forecast is correct, the going is likely to have Good in the description this year, but it could be Good to Soft, or slightly worse, depending on how much rain arrives.
Disclaimer:
The above content and information are the personal views and/or opinions of each individual writer and do not represent the views of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its subsidiaries (together, the "HKJC"). The content and information are provided by the writers solely for entertainment purpose only, and should not be construed as a suggestion for anyone to place any bet nor should they be taken and/or relied upon as advice of any kind. The above content and information have not been verified, confirmed and/or endorsed by HKJC and HKJC shall not be liable to any person for any loss or damage suffered by such person as a result of any use or reliance of the above content or information.
HKJC shall not be required to give and does not give any warranty, whether express or implied, arising out of or in connection with the content or information. The Club disclaims any responsibility and accepts no liability (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for any direct or indirect loss of damage arising from any inaccuracies, omission or typographical errors that may be contained therein. The Club also does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or fitness for purpose of any such information.
