Royal Randwick already a heavy 10 for Silver Eagle meeting

Racing NSW chief steward Marc Van Gestel will conduct a track inspection of Royal Randwick on Friday with the course already in the heavy 10 range

The Randwick track will be inspected again on Friday. Picture: Mark Evans–Getty Images

Racing NSW chief steward Marc Van Gestel will conduct a race-eve track inspection of a sodden Royal Randwick on Friday morning.

Randwick was rated a heavy 10 late on Thursday after receiving plenty of rain during the day. The forecast is a little more encouraging for Friday and early Saturday morning.

Van Gestel conceded there are some “obvious concerns” for the 10-race Silver Eagle program on Saturday.

“We will do a track inspection on Friday and have a good look at the surface,’’ Van Gestel said.

“It looks like we might have some respite on Friday but there is more rain predicted for Saturday afternoon.

“I think the track will present on Saturday morning ok but it’s just what happens afterwards.’’

With no suitable alternative venue, Racing NSW and Australian Turf Club officials are pursuing every option to ensure the Randwick meeting goes ahead on Saturday.

However, there has been some preliminary discussions about the possibility of racing at Randwick on Monday if necessary.

Randwick track manager Michael Wood and his staff have had to cope with record rainfall this year but still managed to provide a fair track surface on most occasions.

Wood revealed that he has only used 38mm of irrigation at Randwick this year and has not need to water since February.

In comparison, back in January, 2020, and just prior to the onset of Sydney’s extended well spell, Randwick had 41mm of irrigation in just a two-week period that summer.

Wood said although the Randwick track was rated a heavy 10 on Thursday afternoon, it was still a safe racing surface.

“It’s been frustrating today (Thursday) as most of the rain has been on the coastal fringe but it’s been relatively dry out west,’’ Wood said.

“If we can get a bit of a break with the weather on Friday and early Saturday, then Randwick is set-up to improve quickly and present well enough for raceday.’’

Wood said he will conduct three track inspections on Friday including at 9am with stewards.

“Of course, I will check the track again first thing Saturday morning and we just have to hope this rain eases,’’ he said.

The other issue confronting stewards and track officials is how the Royal Randwick surface handles 10 races in extremely heavy conditions just seven days prior to the $15m The TAB Everest on October 15.

Van Gestel said the rail is out 8m for Saturday’s meeting then will be moved back to the true for Everest Day.

“There will be an 8m pad to work on for The Everest,’’ Van Gestel said.

“Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about the weather, we just have to try and do the best we can.’’

Originally published as Royal Randwick already a heavy 10 for Silver Eagle meeting