Newmarket: What a place to run a classic!

[Triptych]

I’ve never liked newmarket as a course, just cant get excited about the place, not like an Espom Goodwood or York.
What is the point as well af having a "dip" as as a feature. It just unablances fast moving horses at a time when they are picking up. It scuppered Toronado’s chances in last years race when coming to make it’s challenge.

Newmarket is my local track and I love the place, I’d rather be there any day than at Ascot where you would strain to even get a glimpse of the horses, my first Ladies Day was my last.

Even on Guineas day at Newmarket I was able to get to the front of the parade ring and if you go up into the Millenium Grandstand 2nd floor to view the race you get a fine view.

With it’s undulating track it’s a brilliant place for trainers to get a blow into their horses before a big race and at the Craven Meeting we saw 3 lots of gallops down the track, Lucky Kristale, Kiyoshi and Lightning Thunder (who did the most outstanding gallop of the 3).

I never saw Toronado making a challenge in last years 2000 Guineas he was headed by Dawn Approach 1 furlong from home and running out of steam lost 3rd place near the finish.
To be fair I think the freak rainstorm just before the race scuppered his chances not the ‘dip’.

Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...

[Drone]

If you have a false rail from the starting gate to "The Bushes" (2 1/2 furlongs from the finish) with stalls on that rail (ie Stands side). Then the false rail need only be four or five horse widths out from the normal rail position. Opening out to the whole width of the track between The Bushes and finishing line, so those held up on the rail have the chance to get a run.

How long does it take to erect and dismantle 6f of false rail?

It probably wouldn’t have been a problem this year as the Guineas had, at 14 runners, the second-largest field on the card; but in other years it could have say 10 runners and the opening Suffolk Handicap 20+ runners, with the Palace House too plausibly having around 20

In this case wouldn’t the false rail have to be erected after these races were run and perhaps dismantled immediately afterwards if a later race had a substantially larger field too?

EDIT: Though I suppose this problem could be solved by staging large fields false rail to far side and the Guineas false rail to stands side

[stevecaution]

So unless Kingman is beaten out of sight in the Irish 2000 (if he even goes there) – not entered in the Diamond Jubilee – St James’s Palace is the obvious race to run in. Suspect Team Abdullah will make the decision whether to go sprinting after Ascot.

Teddy Grimthorpe has said they are keen to take Kingman to the Curragh for the Irish 2000G.

I am not convinced Kingman needs to be tailed off to indicate a stamina issue. If he gets beaten again (War Command re-opposes) there might be a rethink regarding targets and even if not dropping in trip they may consider a break rather than take Night Of Thunder on again.

Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.

[Gingertipster]

If you have a false rail from the starting gate to "The Bushes" (2 1/2 furlongs from the finish) with stalls on that rail (ie Stands side). Then the false rail need only be four or five horse widths out from the normal rail position. Opening out to the whole width of the track between The Bushes and finishing line, so those held up on the rail have the chance to get a run.

How long does it take to erect and dismantle 6f of false rail?

It probably wouldn’t have been a problem this year as the Guineas had, at 14 runners, the second-largest field on the card; but in other years it could have say 10 runners and the opening Suffolk Handicap 20+ runners, with the Palace House too plausibly having around 20

In this case wouldn’t the false rail have to be erected after these races were run and perhaps dismantled immediately afterwards if a later race had a substantially larger field too?

EDIT: Though I suppose this problem could be solved by staging large fields false rail to far side and the Guineas false rail to stands side

Exactly Drone,
Personlly, I’d be in favour of running all other races on the far side and middle, to help keep fresh ground on the stand side for only the two Guineas’s. Don’t know if the false rail coming in will mean a slight reduction in maximum number of runners for handicaps; but that is imo a small price to pay. False rail could be gradually brought in from the mile post to say 1m50yrds, just in case something goes to the Stand side in 1m1f+ races. You’re right a 6f false rail will take some time errecting, but I see no reason why it can not be done before the meeting and kept there until after the last race Sunday. Am sure it’s possible to borrow rail from nearby racecourses for one meeting if not wanting the expense of buying it.

Value Is Everything

[ricky lake]

Bring back Lisa Hancock ……it will be buggered permanently then …..

imo

[Nathan Hughes]

So unless Kingman is beaten out of sight in the Irish 2000 (if he even goes there) – not entered in the Diamond Jubilee – St James’s Palace is the obvious race to run in. Suspect Team Abdullah will make the decision whether to go sprinting after Ascot.

Teddy Grimthorpe has said they are keen to take Kingman to the Curragh for the Irish 2000G.

I am not convinced Kingman needs to be tailed off to indicate a stamina issue. If he gets beaten again (War Command re-opposes) there might be a rethink regarding targets and even if not dropping in trip they may consider a break rather than take Night Of Thunder on again.

Isn’t the Curragh a stiff mile?

Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026

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