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Getting to Know Australian Racing (3/3)

As we all know, the weather plays a very important part in horse racing. In the United States, a deluge of rain could turn a course upside down. First and more than likely, every turf race scheduled for that day will be taken off the course and put on the dirt surface. There are a few changes that the track will be made. It can be changed anywhere from wet track but still fast to sloppy.
In Australia, it is a lot different. Figuratively speaking, 99% of the racing in Australia is on turf. The Australian Racing Board came up with a scale of 1 to 10 (described below).
Pentrometers are used to measure the amount of rain that has soaked into the turf surface. It is a very precise instrument that has been used in road building.
This will help on your next go at the land down under!
By Mel Daniels
Pentrometers are used to measure the amount of rain that has soaked into the turf surface. It is a very precise instrument that has been used in road building.
Rating System |
1 = Firm A dry hard track. |
2 = Firm A firm track with some grass coverage. |
3 = Good It's the ideal track with some give in the grass. |
4 = Good A track with a little more give in the grass than rating 3. |
5 = Soft There is a reasonable amount of give in the grass. |
6 = Soft The track is lightly rain affected, but it will suit some horses more than others. |
7 = Soft A rain affected track that will "chop out". |
8 = Heavy A soft track, but not too wet. |
9 = Heavy A very soft track in which some horses will take to and others will bog down in it. |
10 = Heavy Very soft and very muddy. |
This will help on your next go at the land down under!
By Mel Daniels
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