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Why are some horses
track specialists?
Why do some tracks produce nightmare results for punters?
Why do some tracks favour leaders?
These answers and more can be found in our descriptions
of Australia's main horse racing tracks.
Moonee Valley, operated by the Moonee Valley Racing
Club, is rectangular in shape with a circumference of 1,805
metres.
The unique StrathAyr track, (heavily sand-based), provides an
excellent cushion for horses and is a very good draining and wet
weather track.
The home straight, only 173 metres, is by far the shortest of
all metropolitan racecourses in Australia. Because of the
exceptionally short home straight, the track often favours
good leaders and on pace horses who kick away around the
home turn opening up a winning break on the field.
This is never more true than when the rail is out five metres. It
is not uncommon for one race after another to be won by the
horse that is out fastest and leads all the way - just like the
greyhounds!
Moonee Valley is very much a specialists' track. Horses drawn
barrier one who get back in the field are often in trouble because
of the short home straight.
Barrier Guide
1000 metres: This barrier is
located in a chute at the back of the course. There is a straight
run of about 400 metres to a sweeping turn to the home straight.
Inside barriers are a significant advantage for fast starters.
1200 metres: This barrier starts in a chute at the
back of the course. There is a straight run of about 350 metres to
the first turn. Inside barriers are an advantage.
1600 metres: Situated on the course proper on the side
of the track. There is a straight run of nearly 400 metres to the
first corner. Inside barriers are a slight advantage.
2040 metres: This is where the Cox Plate starts at the
top of the home straight. There is only 200 metres to the first
turn. Wide barriers are usually a big disadvantage.
2600 metres: This barrier starts from a chute
near the 800 metres mark. There is a run of about 400 metres to
the first turn. Inside barriers are a slight advantage.
3000 metres: This barrier starts in a chute at
the back of the course. Inside barriers are a slight advantage.
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