Jockeys gave Track 2 the thumbs up after three trials on the new Polytrack surface were conducted on Thursday morning.

It was the first set of trials to be conducted on the track since Polytrack replaced the Fibresand surface.

Three heats with fields of five, six and five were conducted over 1000m.

Jockeys all agreed the track rode extremely well. With 10 days to go until the first race is to be held, the surface will continue to improve.

There are at least four races set down for decision on Polytrack on Saturday October 4 with another four to be held the following day. A full Polytrack programme is to be held the following Friday, October 10.

Glowing in his report of Track 2 was Australian jockey Michael Cahill.

“Singapore is lucky to have it,” said Cahill of the new synthetic surface.

“I’ve ridden on two similar types of tracks back home in Australia and I’m a great fan of them.

“The track here is great for both horse and rider. You can hardly feel the horses hitting the ground.

“There is minimal kickback. You can be close to the runner in front of you and not need to be wearing goggles.

“While it’s still a little loose it’s first rate now, but when it consolidates it will be excellent.”

Mark Gallagher, who won the second trial aboard the Michael Clements-trained Golden Scalpel, said the track was lovely to ride on.

“It is still a little loose, but you can feel it getting tighter and tighter by the day,” said Gallagher.

“We still have 10 days to go until the first race will be held on the track. With more trials and work on the track it can only improve further.

“You couldn’t ask for a better track, especially one that has only just been laid. I haven’t ridden on a track that has ridden so well so early after being laid.”

Local rider Matt Kellady, who rode the first trial winner Fighting Spirit for trainer Don Baertschiger, said further consolidation would see the track in excellent order.

“It felt good but just needs a bit more consolidation,” said Kellady. “It just felt a little bit heavy, but once it settles down it will be spot on.”

Jay Ford said that while the track was a little loose, there was little kickback and described the track as “excellent”.

“The horses stretch out brilliantly on it,” he said. “Given that the track is fairly new, horses just seem to float along on it.”

Jockey John Powell has been enthusiastic about the Polytrack surface since it first opened for trackwork just on two weeks ago.

He has seen the track improve day-by-day.

“The track felt fantastic. My horse went great over it - we could have won, but I was happy to just let him coast to the line,” said Powell who rode the Laurie Laxon-trained Royal Palm in trial three.

“The horses have been working over it for a week now and that has helped the track to settle down. It’s just perfect now and it’s ready for racing.”
(Source: Singapore Turf Club)