 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. | |
Newbury Racecourse – Track Analysis (Lockinge Stakes Day):
Newbury is a left-handed oval shaped track that conducts both flat and National Hunt racing, with the outer course, which is approximately 3000m in circumference, used for the flat. There is a straight 1600m course that connects to the main track approximately 1000m from the winning post. There are also two chutes, one short one on the right hand side of the track at the top of the back straight, which races over 2600m are conducted, and one on the top left hand side of the track for races conducted over 1600m on the round course.
Except for the main straight (900m) where there are slight undulations, Newbury is a flat course, and with plenty of width and sweeping bends, is considered one of the fairest tracks in Britain. It is also one of the best draining tracks in the country, predominately due to the gravel subsoil in place, meaning heavy ground is a rarity, however, due to its high quality watering system, firm ground is also equally rare.
Five turf races will be simulcast from Lockinge Stakes Day this year.
For the 2000m London Gold Cup, they start in the back straight with a run of approximately 400m to the first bend, which takes them to a small straight on the left hand side of the course, before they then meet a sweeping bend into the home straight, which is approximately 900m in length and has slight undulations. It is widely considered that horses can win from anywhere, and there is no draw bias on the round course.
For the G3 Aston Park Stakes over 2400m, they start toward the top of the back straight with a run of approximately 800m to the first bend, which takes them to a small straight on the left-hand side of the course, before they then meet a sweeping bend into the home straight, which is approximately 900m in length and has slight undulations. Similar to the 2000m London Gold Cup, horses can win from anywhere, and there is no draw bias on the round course.
The 1200m Listed Carnarvon Stakes and the HKJC World Pool Handicap are on the straight course. They jump from a chute, on the left-hand side of the track, joining the round course after approximately 150m. The main straight does have slight undulations, but there is no draw bias as such, but keep in mind they do tend to run down the centre of the track, but occasionally drift to either the grandstand or far side rail in the latter stages of the races.
The feature race, G1 Lockinge Stakes over 1600m runs on the straight course, they jump from the top of a chute, on the left hand side of the track, then join the main track approximately 1000m out from the winning post. The main straight does have slight undulations, but there is no draw bias. Keep in mind that they do tend to run down the centre of the track, but occasionally drift to either the grandstand or far side rail in the latter stages of the race. Horses can win from anywhere, but RIBCHESTER in 2017, is the only winner to have made-all in the last ten editions. It’s also worth noting that favourites have a good recent record, having won seven of the last ten renewals.
Last year’s Lockinge Stakes was run on Good going with a field of 12 going to post. MUTASAABEQ broke quickly, and soon led, with CHINDIT, MY PROSPERO & LAUREL all prominent, whilst the favourite, MODERN GAMES sat midfield with clear air on the grandstand side. MUTASAABEQ ensured a true gallop, seemingly travelling strongly on the front with several runners being pushed along at the halfway point. However, 400m from home, MUTASAABEQ’S rider pushed the go button but there was very little response with CHINDIT running straight by the leader. No sooner had CHINDIT taken over than MODERN GAMES, who produced a withering burst over the final 200m, went past the leader to win by 1.5 length, with CHINDIT holding down second a length clear of BERKSHIRE SHADOW who picked up the pieces late to grab third.
Nine of the last ten renewals of the Lockinge have had Good in the going description, with the one exception being 2017 when it was run on Soft ground. The weather forecast predicts a chance of only light rain during the week and on race day. If the forecasts are correct, then it is highly likely that there will be Good in the ground description again 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.
