The impending arrival of rain on Victoria Derby Day at Flemington, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting between 2 and 10 millimetres, is set to significantly influence track conditions.
Flemington’s racing surface successfully navigated the Cox Plate meeting without succumbing to heavy rain. Track manager Liam O’Keeffe is now hoping that the predicted precipitation will hold off for Victoria Derby Day.
Following the conclusion of the Cox Plate carnival, Flemington received a substantial 53mm of rain on Sunday. This deluge allowed the track to recover effectively without demanding excessive intervention.
O’Keeffe confirmed that the track received 12mm of irrigation on Wednesday and Thursday. However, he indicated that no further watering would be undertaken due to the showers predicted to commence early Saturday morning.
“We had 12mm of irrigation in the last couple of days to keep it in the Good 4 range ahead of the showers that are forecast on Saturday,” O’Keeffe said.
“We won’t water tonight, we’ll let it dry out naturally and then if we get a millimetre or two, it will stay in that good range, if we get more than that, the track will soften from there.”
The Bureau of Meteorology’s forecast indicates that showers are expected to begin at Flemington around dawn and continue until approximately 1pm.
“There may be two to 10 millimetres, the Bureau have said and then tending to scattered showers through the afternoon,” O’Keeffe commented.
“Our best result would be we get two or three millimetres prior to the races and then a clear afternoon and then we should be able to hold that good track rating for the day.”
O’Keeffe anticipates a northerly wind influencing the first few races, creating a headwind around the home turn. This wind is expected to shift to a westerly direction later, resulting in a headwind down the home straight.
The rail is set to remain in the true position for Saturday’s racing events. It will be adjusted to the 3-metre mark for Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday.
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