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 (Nassau 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 other races enter via the top bend. The run in from the top bend is 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.

Nassau Stakes Day sees a eight-race card. Two of those are on the straight course, the 1200m G2 Richmond Stakes, and 1000m World Pool Handicap. On the straight course the low barriers are drawn on the far side with high numbers closest the grandstand rail. Over the 1000m horses with speed tend to dominate due to the fast downhill nature of the course, and horses that break slowly can find their race all over at the start. A few years ago, there was a definite draw bias for horses drawn high in big fields, especially over 1200m, but the draw seems to have evened out after work was carried out in 2008 to move the far side rail, although speed horses over 1000m are better off drawn low.

There are six races on the round course. For the 1409m 2yo Handicap and the 2yo Fillies Maiden, it is generally considered there is no draw bias on the round course, but my own research suggests horses drawn middle to low over 1400 have an advantage in larger fields.

For the 1609m 3yo 71-90 Handicap, the field will jump from halfway up the back straight where they briefly go downhill before climbing uphill then onto the lower loop into the 750m straight. It is generally considered there is no draw bias on the round course, but my own research suggests horses drawn middle to low over 1600m have an advantage in larger fields.

For the 2401m G3 Gordon Stakes, runners start from a chute on the left hand side of the course and have a decent straight run before turning right. There is no draw bias and horses are afforded every opportunity.

For the 1982m 3yo Handicap and the feature race G1 Nassau Stakes, the field start from the top of the loop on the left-hand side and run in a straight line mostly downhill before meeting rising ground on to the top bend and entering the straight which is approximately 900m. Over the last ten years the average field size for the Nassau Stakes has been just 7.6 and whilst the draw is of no concern. Winners can come from anywhere, although only one leader that is WILD ILLUSION in 2018 has been successful in the last ten years. The 3YO have a very good recent recorded, having been successful on seven occasions since 2013.

Last year’s Nassau Stakes was run on Good to Firm ground with a field of eight going to post. On leaving the stalls, FONTEYN was a tad slow to start, but soon took up a prominent position behind the leaders, DREAMLOPER, CONCERT HALL and ARISTIA, whilst the favourite, NASHWA, was waited with at the very tail of the field. DREAMLOPER set only a moderate tempo, and just before the halfway point, FONTEYN, who was racing keenly, was allowed to move into second, at the flank of the leader. As they came into the home straight, DREAMLOPER still led, from FONTEYN, who was starting to be pushed along in second, whilst the favourite, NASHWA, was still last, but only six-lengths from the front runners. Despite running keenly, FONTEYNE served it up to DREAMLOPER at the 600m mark, with the field closing in on the two leaders. NASHWA was delivered with her run on the outside, claiming DREAMLOPER and FONTEYN at the 300m mark, and whilst she had to fight hard, the favourite went on to win by nearly 1.75 lengths from ARISTIA, who battled on strongly pass the two tiring leaders, whilst LILAC ROAD picked up the pieces late to grab third.

The weather forecast suggests mostly rainy days in the lead-up, and on race day. If the forecast is correct, it’s likely that there will be Soft in this year’s ground.

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