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.

York Racecourse – Track Analysis (International Stakes Day):

York is a left-handed track. Races over 1000m and 1200m are run on a straight course whilst races over 1400m start from a chute that joins the main straight in a dog leg shape. The same chute is used for races over 4400m. Races over 2800m and 3251m also start from a chute whilst all other starting points are on the round course. Barrier 1 is always drawn on the inside of the track.

York is a high-quality large course with sweeping turns and no undulations. Considered one of the fairest tracks in Great Britain, the straight is approximately 900m and although the layout of the course suits strong galloping types, horses who get to the front early in the straight often will not run down, especially on testing ground.

There are seven races for coverage on International Stakes Day.

The three races on the straight course are the 1081m 3yo+ Handicap, the 1000m 3yo+ Fillies & Mares 0-105 Handicap and the 1200m 2yo Handicap. Over 1000m and 1081m it is considered that there is little draw bias, although they do often look to go to the centre of the track. Over 1200m they also do tend to mostly come down the centre of the track, but will normally look to head to the grandstand rail when the ground is soft, thus high draws are favourable on rain affected ground in larger fields.

There are four races on the round course. For the 1400m G3 Acomb Stakes, although the advantage looks minimal, horses from middle to high gates have a good record overall. Acomb Stakes is a race that has seen several winners purchased by Hong Kong connections in recent times.

For the 2371m G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes and the 3251m 3yo+ Handicap. There is no draw bias, but keep in mind they do tend to head to the middle and sometimes the grandstand rail when they come into the straight, especially on rain affected ground.

For the feature race, 2051m G1 International Stakes, it starts from the far side of the course and although there is a slight bend not long after leaving the gates, barriers are of little importance. After taking the bend, they head down a lengthy straight on the left hand side of the track before meeting the home turn and entering the 900m home straight. On entering the straight, although the theory is they are likely to look to come down the middle if the ground in rain effected. In recent times the fields have been small with only one renewal having more than nine runners in the last ten years. However, it is usually a high quality contest and recent winners include champions SEA THE STARS, FRANKEL & BAAEED.

Last year’s International Stakes was run on Good to Firm ground with a field of four going to post. On leaving the stalls MOSTAHDAF was sent to the front as the favourite, PADDINGTON sat in second a few of lengths behind the leader, with NASHWA and THE FOXES at the back. The four runners ran in single file with Frankie Dettori allowing the leader to run along at a solid gallop. There was no change in the order of the race and as they entered the straight with 900m to go, MOSTAHDAF moved off the fence but was still on the far-side and travelling strongly three-lengths clear of PADDINGTON. 500m from home, PADDINGTON started to be urged along to chase the leader and was now only two-lengths down, but MOSTAHDAF was still galloping strongly on the front with NASHWAH picking up from the back, but THE FOXES couldn’t go with the other three and soon dropped away. As they approached the final 200m, MOSTAHDAF was still in front, but NASHWA was challenging on the inside and PADDINGTON was still there pitching on the outside, but MOSTAHDAF found enough over the closing stages under a masterful front running ride to hold on by a length from NASHWA with PADDINGTON a neck back in third in a time that was 1.70 seconds faster than standard.

The weather forecast this year is suggesting clear sunny days in the lead-up and on race day, and if correct the going is likely to be Good with a strong possibility of Good to Firm going.

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