LINGFIELD AW (Draw Bias)

Posted by Paul Moon in Blog | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The racing map will highlight the tribulations of the 5f, 6f & 1m2f starts, so we seek advice from a couple of jockeys, experienced in such matters...

DAVID PROBERT: It's probably the most idiosyncratic of the AW tracks because of the hill. It's pretty level from the mile and a quarter start and down the back, but from the 4 furlong to the 2 furlong poles you're running down that hill. Some horses don't handle the hill which makes it a tricky track to ride; many of the jockeys will start to make their move at about the 3f - halfway down the hill, on the home bend - trying to get some of their rivals off balance. That's where you'll see most of the manoeuvres, jostling for position, trying to either get an inside run or slingshot off the bend if a little wider.

In 5f & 6f handicaps, you want to be handy, and perhaps ideally with a middle draw to cut the corner a little. That gives you the most options. They're both tricky starts, the five in a little chute on the crown of the bend, and the six just before the bend on the main track. Inside draws need to be very quick away and edge right a bit to get a position, because if you don't you'll be in a pocket and it'll be hard. The 6f trip is a bit more forgiving because you've got half a furlong or so before the bend, but you still need to jump and get a position quickly.

Over longer trips, certainly beyond a mile, it's very hard to make the running and win. I try and sit third or fourth, and one off the rail. If you're on the rail you can get boxed in as horses vie for positions and then you have to wait for them to pass before making your run. It's certainly a tricky track and one where you need to be in the right place at the right time.

Lane wise, it's pretty fair in the straight: I've seen horses coming up the rail to win, and horses fanning wide and winning, so there doesn't seem to be any advantage to one or other path in the last quarter. And the kickback is mild, probably the least of all the all weather circuits.

JASON WATSON: Lingfield’s 1m 2f all-weather start is a tough one, very draw-dependent. The same is true of the 5f and 6f starts. I always think it’s a track that lends itself to riding in the ‘third wave.’ For example, in races over 1m, the first wave will go with maybe 5f left, round the initial turn, while the second wave will kick into the home straight. The third wave - the George Baker wave - usually attacks at the 1f pole and often comes out best. You don’t want to be way out of your ground, but patience can pay.

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