Sportsbet Set A Deposit Limit (Bm76)

With the rail in the True position on a Heavy (9) track, the inside section is likely to be significantly worn and chopped up by this stage of the meeting. While it's the shortest way home, jockeys will likely be searching for firmer footing wider out in the straight. This can negate the advantage of an inside draw and benefit horses making their runs down the centre of the track.

The Heavy (9) rating is the single most critical factor. This will be a gruelling test of stamina and wet-track capability. The genuine pace will ensure that leaders are made to work, and their ability to quicken will be severely blunted. Horses without proven form on genuinely heavy ground will be at a major disadvantage. The conditions will turn this into a slog, favouring strong finishers over those with a brilliant turn of foot on dry ground.

The 1200m start at Morphettville offers a fair run of approximately 400m to the home turn. This gives horses drawn wide a chance to cross if they have sufficient speed, but it remains an advantage to draw inside. The key feature is the long, punishing home straight, which, especially on a Heavy (9) track, gives swoopers every opportunity to run down the leaders, provided the pace has been genuine. The race will be won and lost based on stamina in the final 300m.

As a Benchmark 76 Handicap, the weights are compressed but still significant. Horses at the bottom of the weights who are proven on heavy ground receive a major advantage. Carrying 57.5kg on a Heavy 9 is a far tougher task than carrying 51.0kg. This race type rewards tough, fit horses who get in with a light weight and can handle the conditions.