| During the winter in the UK all-weather race course | | | | Another point to note is that quite often due to the |
| tracks come into their own. They are often the only | | | | nature of all-weather tracks horses may stay further |
| type of racing that is possible because of the frost | | | | than they would on turf. |
| and wet weather. However, there are some | | | | There is now a breed of trainer who have small |
| difference between racing on turf and and an artificial | | | | stables that specialise in runners at the all-weather |
| surface. | | | | tracks. It is a good idea to study these and look for |
| If you are looking for winners it is important to | | | | those with a high strike rate and those whose stables |
| remember that there are two distinct racing surfaces | | | | are in good form. Another pointer to look for is when a |
| on all-weather tracks =. The fibre sand at Southwell is | | | | top jockey goes to an all-weather meeting, especially if |
| completely different from the polytracks of Lingfield | | | | they only have one or two rides. |
| and Kempton. Some horses will perform well on | | | | It is not a good idea to back a horse the first time it |
| surface but be unable to cope with the other. Equally | | | | runs on an all-weather surface. Some horses |
| form shown on the all-weather will not necessarily | | | | irrespective of their ability just cannot perform on it and |
| transfer to the turf or visa versa. | | | | do not reproduce their turf form. Conversely, some |
| The all-weather courses tend to be flat and sharp with | | | | horses can show considerable improvement when |
| some tight bends which usually means that horses on | | | | racing on the polytrack. Therefore first time it is always |
| the inside nearest the rails should have a big | | | | better to hold a watching brief. |
| advantage. However, a draw near the rails can only | | | | One particular problem especially at Southwsell is the |
| be a benefit if the horse has the speed from the stalls | | | | "kick back". This is the track material that is thrown up |
| to take advantage of the draw. Quite often a faster | | | | by the leading horse into the faces of those following. |
| horse in the a centre or outside draw will speedily | | | | Many horses and even jockeys wear protective face |
| cross to the rails and the low drawn horse can find | | | | shields but even so there are horses that hate this and |
| itself trapped against the rails with nowhere to go. | | | | will not perform well at the track. At Southwell a front |
| American bred horses can do well on the all-weather | | | | runner can avoid the "kick back" and gain a distinct |
| as the tracks are similar to many in the USA. You | | | | advantage. |
| should be looking for a horse with a low fluent action. | | | | |