2 - Track Condition

In this section, I explain how different dog track surfaces effect the performances of greyhounds with various running styles and why this may effect your future race predictions. Greyhound Predictor Racetrack dimensions are also stated.

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 correct going conditions? or state of the track? is indeed a vital element that all serious 'greyhound predictors' should consider when predicting the future outcomes of dog races!

These days the vast majority of greyhound races take place on sand tracks, although originally many of today's prestigious events were first run on grass tracks. Other types of racing surfaces include the 'loam tracks' used at some of the Australian dog tracks and of course the nearly forgotten 'cinder tracks' of greyhound racing's historical past!

All greyhound establishments try to maintain a fair and safe racing circuit for all competing greyhounds, by regularly rolling flat and watering the sand surface of a track, however, this can often be a difficult task to achieve, as all track surfaces are constantly effected by adverse weather conditions. Therefore, all greyhounds fortunate to race on a faster running surface then their competitors, will obviously have the advantage theoretically of being able to produce faster quicker racetimes! This 'advantage' or alternatively considered 'disadvantage' in the bias of the race conditions, always effects the performances of dogs that chase or course a lure, running either an 'inside', 'middle', 'wide' or 'very wide' racing line around a greyhound track. (Further information on entering Racing Lines)

I suggest that the first thing all 'Predictors' should do when attending a greyhound meeting is to check the condition of the racetrack!

Knowing how the track is currently running, is extremely important and a major advantage in finding winners given to all 'trackside punters', 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 any such previous winning greyhounds, running at that race meeting, then decide for yourself, which racing line, if any, has the advantage on those particular race surface conditions.

Greyhound Predictor Software allows four types of racetrack conditions to be simulated:-

A Fast Track (+0.40 secs = GP state of going adjustment) Racing on firm going in warm or hot atmospheric temperatures often creates a 'fast running track' and generally gives an advantage to the 'inside early paced runners'. This type of going helps greyhounds produce very quick sectional times and allows those 'fast away dogs' to stretch out and record extremely quick winning racetimes! It is usually on 'fast ground conditions' in the summer months that 'track records' maybe achieved, although a hard frozen track in mid-winter may also be considered a fast track and overall generally benefits the 'quick away runners'.

A Normal Track (0.00 secs) All greyhounds racing on a normal racetrack surface, should produce normal race and sectional times, as this type of track surface should be considered fair to all racing lines and running styles of racing greyhounds.

A Slow Track (-0.40 secs) Winter dog racing in cold temperatures on 'sloppy' or 'boggy' racing conditions will produce slower race and sectional times and overall generally favours the 'strong finishing type' of dog. The winning race-times being 'slower run' than normal racing times will 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 rainshower often makes a track run a little faster than normal, although persistent heavy rainfall generally slow speeds down and overall tends to favour dogs racing on the 'outside' or more precisely 'middle to wide' running dogs. Water generally settles onto the inside, most noticeable around steeply banked bends, due to the natural contours and cambers of a greyhound track. The inside racing surface may become waterlogged creating soft or heavy going racetrack conditions and a slower racing line for all dogs running the rails! Therefore, all 'railers' that naturally race 'close to the fence' are slowed down due to the wet track conditions, whereas greyhounds that 'move off ' the rail coursing more of a 'middle', 'wide' or 'very wide' running line will frequently have the advantage on a rain soaked track of running on a faster race surface.

All 'regular punters' will know the importance of predicting accurately the surface conditions of a dog track, this should never be overlooked or forgotten as 'weather conditions' effect race results and therefore, play an important and vital role in understanding the 'Science of Greyhound Racing Prediction'!

Now enter Fast, Normal, Slow or Wet racing track conditions.

Please also see English Dog Track Circumferences, Hare Types and Race Surfaces.

Greyhound Predictor v 2.0 Track Dimensions

Next Page: Race Length

The Science of Greyhound Racing Prediction

printer friendly version

download now

stats screenbetting lounge screentraps1st bend2nd bendlast bend

download now