 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. | |
Deauville Racecourse – Track Analysis (Prix Jean Romanet Day)
Situated on the North Coast of France, Deauville – long hailed as French Racing’s mid-summer haven – while being one of four French tracks to host G1 races on the flat, is not short of action, comes every August, both on and off the track. Its auxiliary Yearling Sales, in particular, is traditionally a prime marketplace for major owners and breeders to replenish their racing stock – and certainly scout for the next superstar on turf. Deauville Racecourse is comprised of two turf tracks – round and a straight course – both of which are relatively flat with only minor undulations.
The round course is oval in shape with right-handed sweeping bends and a circumference of 2200m, along with a straight run in of approximately 420m. The straight mile course conducts races from 1000m to 1600m and joins the round course at the top of the home straight. In addition, there is a polytrack on the inside of the turf course, 2000m in circumference.
There are eight races for coverage on Prix Jean Romanet Day, five on the polytrack, and three on turf, including two on the round course and one on the straight.
The three polytrack races over 2500m, two Class 3 Handicap and one Class 4 Handicap, they start from the top of the straight and have a long run before the first turn, which comes up just after the winning post. Whilst there is no barrier bias, with the polytrack being on the inside of the main track, it is tighter, thus horses that like to go forward are better suited to low or middle draws in larger fields. The 1900m Class 1 Handicap is also run on the polytrack, the only difference with the 2500m is the runners will start from a chute just after the winning post on the left-hand side of the course.
The 1300m Class 1 Allowance will also run on the polytrack, there is a relatively short run of just under 300m before reaching the first turn, therefore horses who prefer to go forward are better drawn low.
For the turf races, the only race on the straight course is the 1200m G1 Prix Morny. The straight course is relatively flat, but with barrier 1 being on the grandstand side and with the stalls usually placed on that side, most races will see the field come down the grandstand rail and the centre of the track, therefore middle to low draws are usually advantageous. However, large fields can see the runners split into more than one group, with the higher drawn runners frequently opting to go to the far side rail.
The two races on the round course including the featured race G1 Prix Jean Romanet over 2000m and the G2 Prix Kergorlay over 3000m.
Over the 2000m they start from a chute on the left hand side of the course. They have a run of approximately 300m before they reach the first turn, which leads into a back straight of nearly 400m, then onto a sweeping bend, which takes them into the home straight. Low draws are slightly favoured over 2000m, but recent data suggests the advantage is only marginal. Over 3000m, the runners start from approximately half way up the straight course, and barriers are of no importance.
The round course is fair to all runners, but keep in mind they tend to, but not always, run middle distance and staying races in France at a moderate tempo, which can make it difficult for those at the back to pick up the leaders, especially in larger fields.
Last year’s Prix Jean Romanet was run on Good ground with a field of seven going to post. From the inside draw, ARISTIA took up the running, with ROSSCARBERY on that ones outside in second, and EBAIYRA in behind the pair in third, whilst SUNDORO was caught wide with the rider electing to snag back, joining the favourite, VERRY ELLEEGANT, at the tail of the field. As can be the case in France, the race was run at moderate tempo with no change until 800m out, when Frankie Dettori decided the pace was too slow and took off from the back of the field on VERRY ELLEEGANT, however the tempo quickened at this point and it turned into a sprint home. Given the sedate pace of the race, it was no surprise that the leaders found plenty, with both ARISTIA and ROSSCARBERY settling down to fight it out, with the British raider, ARISTIA finding a bit more on the inside to win by a neck from ROSSCARBERY, and EBAIYRA ran third.
The weather forecast for Deauville during the week is suggesting mostly clear days in the lead-up, however there is a chance of light showers midweek and on race day. If the forecast is correct, then it’s likely to be run on Good ground this year.
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.
