 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. | |
Sandown Racecourse – Track Analysis (Eclipse Stakes):
Sandown is a complex, oblong-shaped turf circuit going approximately 2600m once around, with an 800m home straight. There are several chutes to cater for 1600m races midway on the backstretch, 1990m races at the top the backstretch, and 2800m races, which practically use part of the chase course, with the starting gate placed just before the winning post. Also, an uphill 1000m straight streaks right through the midfield, rejoining the main oval on the first turn, where sprinters will zip right to left.
Sandown is considered a fair, galloping course; however, with the highest point of the course on the first turn, implying a stretch drive that goes slowly but surely uphill all the way, stamina is tantamount. Also, when the turf is drenched, riders will occasionally switch to the grandstand side upon hitting the homestretch, and even small fields would spread out.
The G1 Eclipse Stakes run over 1990m, runners will break from a short chute at the top of the backstretch on the left-hand side of the course, runs all through the backstretch, with a slight dog leg at the 1400m marker, before hitting the only bend of this trip, then turns for home over the sapping 800m stretch run. There is no specific draw bias, but horses ridden aggressively will struggle to see out the trip.
A field of four in last year’s Eclipse Stakes, when the turf was listed as Good on raceday. Upon leaving the stalls, PADDINGTON disputed for an immediate lead, but it was WEST WIND BLOWS that took up the running, with the filly EMILY UPJOHN in third, just outside DUBAI HONOUR. At halfway WEST WIND BLOWS took the lead, while others were forging on a solid gallop. The running order was intact upon entering the home straight, with WEST WIND BLOWS still a few lengths in front, but PADDINGTON was travelling strongly, and clobbering the leader at the 400m mark. EMILY UPJOHN was giving chase, and DUBAI HONOUR toiling. PADDINGTON surged right by WEST WIND BLOWS 300m from home, but EMILY UPJOHN was also gobbling up. The pair duelled head-long in the final furlong, yet PADDINGTON was game enough to edge out EMILY UPJOHN and prevail by half-a-length, with WESTWIND BLOWS checking in third.
Over the last ten years the word Good has been in the going description on nine occasions. The forecast is suggesting mostly sunny days in the week leading up, although there is a chance of some light rain on race day. If the forecast is correct, it is highly likely that Good will once again be in the going description this year.
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