2 - Track Condition
In this section, I explain how different racing conditions effect the performances of greyhounds with various running styles and why this may effect your future predictions. GP Version 2.0 track dimensions and a link to English track circumferences, hare types and race surfaces are also provided.
Track Condition?
An understanding how 'weather' effects the running surface of a greyhound track is the key to answering this question, the ability to predict accurately in advance the going conditions? or state of the track? is indeed a vital element that all 'greyhound predictors' should consider when predicting the future outcomes of dog races.
The vast majority of worldwide greyhound races take place on sand tracks, although originally many of today's prestigious events were first run on grass tracks. Other types of surfaces used include the 'loam tracks' seen at some Australian dog tracks and of course the nearly forgotten 'cinder tracks' of greyhound racing's historical past.
All greyhound racing establishments regularly maintain a fair and safe circuit for all competing dogs, by rolling flat and watering the surface of a track. However, this can sometimes be a very difficult task to achieve, as 'racing surfaces' are constantly effected by adverse weather conditions. Therefore, any greyhounds fortunate to race on a faster running surface then their competitors, will obviously have the distinct advantage theoretically of being able to produce quicker racetimes! This 'advantage' or alternatively considered 'disadvantage' in the bias of the track, always effects the race performances of dogs that chase or course a lure, running either an 'inside', 'middle', 'wide' or 'very wide racing line' around a track. Please see Racing Lines for further information.
I suggest the 1st thing "Greyhound Predictors" should always do when attending a dog meeting is to check the condition of the racetrack!
Knowing how the track is running, is extremely important and a major advantage in finding winners given to all 'trackside racegoers', although interestingly many 'off track gamblers' may still be able to calculate correctly the 'advance going' or 'surface conditions' of a dog track. This can best be achieved in three basic ways, firstly, by paying attention to local weather forecasts will obviously give you a good idea of any forcasted 'climatic changes' due to occur in the vicinity of the track your predicting. Secondly, you may notice a certain repetitive pattern to the 'previous trends' of winning greyhound trap numbers, reflected in past results from earlier run races. Or thirdly, you may, if you could, wish to study all the 'winning times', 'racing lines' and 'running styles' of all previous winning greyhounds running at that race meeting, then decide for yourself, which racing line, if any, has the advantage on those particular surface conditions.
Greyhound Predictor Software v2.0 allows 4 types of racetrack conditions to be simulated:-
A Fast Track - [+0.40 secs = GP state of going adjustment] - Racing on firm going in hot atmospheric temperatures creates a 'fast running track' and generally gives an advantage to the 'inside runners'! This type of race surface helps greyhounds produce very fast sectional times and allows dogs of all racing styles to record extremely quick winning racetimes! It is usually on 'fast ground' in the summer months that 'track records' maybe broken, although a hard frozen track in mid-winter may also be considered a fast track and overall benefits the 'quick away runners'!
A Normal Track - [0.00 secs] - All greyhounds racing on a normal track surface, should produce normal race and sectional times. This type of going should be considered fair to all racing lines and running styles of greyhounds.
A Slow Track - [-0.40 secs] - Winter dog racing in cold temperatures on 'sloppy'or 'boggy' tracks, produces slower race and sectional times and overall favours the 'strong finishing dogs'! The winning times being 'slower run' than normal racetimes inevitable give greyhounds that 'stay on' or 'finish well' more time to get into a virtual dog race!
A Wet Racetrack - [+0.20 secs] - A recent shower of rain usually makes a track run a little faster than normal, although persistent heavy rainfall generally slows speeds down and overall tends to favour 'middle to wide' running dogs! The racing surface along the rails often becomes waterlogged due to the natural contours and cambers of a greyhound track, therefore dogs that 'move off the rail' and course more of a middle, wide and even sometimes a very wide raceline, frequently hold the advantage on a rain soaked track of running on a faster surface!
All "dog punters" will know the importance of correctly estimating the surface conditions of a track, this should never be over-looked or forgotten as 'race conditions' effect race results and therefore, always play a vital role in understanding the 'The Science of Greyhound Racing Prediction!'
Now enter the track condition - Fast, Normal, Slow or Wet
Please also see: English Dog Track Circumferences, Hare Types and Race Surfaces.
Greyhound Predictor v 2.0 Racetrack Dimensions
- Track Circumference = 455.0058 metres
- Bend Circumference = 283.0058 metres
- Length of Straight = 86.00 metres
- Bend Diameter = 90.08 metres
- Bend Radius = 45.04 metres
- Track Width = 8 metres
- 515m Start = Traps to Winning line = 60 metres.
Next Page: Race Length
