4/8/2000 edition

Moonee Valley Horse Racing Track

Moonee Valley again was a roaring leaders' track last Saturday. The rail was out four metres and a succession of races were won by horses which started fast and led all the way. That is the usual pattern of racing whenever the rail is out at Moonee Valley. It makes coming from behind just about impossible. Remember the home straight is only 173 metres long. With the rail out, horses running on wide cover too much ground and the leaders kick away around the home turn opening up a winning break. Horses racing midfield also find it much more difficult to get a clear run. If your horse is well back on the rails, come the home turn, you can throw your ticket away.

Adelaide Racing

Just how weak is Adelaide racing? The answer is very weak. Last Saturday their Listed Handicap over 1800 metres was won by You Know When. What claim to fame does this rising five year old mare have?

Well, she did start in the Group 1 South Australian Oaks in May 1999, a race that attracted quality interstate fillies and was beaten by 15 lengths. She is trained by Robert Smerdon at Flemington and has the good strike rate of five wins and one placing from 12 starts before Saturday and that's about all.

At her previous start she won a restricted race at a Caulfield Sunday meeting, a Mares Class 6 by less than a neck. With her apprentice's claim she dropped half a kilo below the minimum handicapped weight for that race. She dropped three kilos in weight for the Listed Adelaide race, but was actually racing on the minimum handicapped weight, so in weight handicapping terms was actually worse off at the weights. But she was well supported in the betting and delivered the goods. That says it all.

When Melbourne restricted class gallopers can be well backed and walk away with Listed races in Adelaide you know the racing is very, very weak.

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