Rafferty Bros Electrical Mdn Plate

With the rail out 3m from the 1800m to the 1500m mark and True for the remainder, the track should play fairly. However, on a Soft 7 surface, the inside section of the home straight could become chopped up as the meeting progresses. This may lead jockeys to steer towards the centre of the track in search of better ground, potentially nullifying some of the advantage of an inside draw and giving those making wider runs a slight edge.

The Soft 7 rating is a significant factor. It will make the 2050m feel even longer, placing a premium on stamina and proven ability on wet surfaces. The pace may be slightly more tempered than on a dry track, as riders will be keen to save their mounts for a final, grinding effort. Horses that struggle in the wet will be severely disadvantaged, while those who can power through it will be suited. It will be difficult for horses to make up significant ground from the back unless the leaders overdo it.

The 2050m start at Wodonga provides a fair run of approximately 450m to the first turn, which gives horses drawn wide, like Weekend Lover and Brilliant Badger, a reasonable opportunity to cross and find a position without being panicked. The long, sweeping home turn and spacious 400m straight mean that backmarkers will have their chance to run on, provided the pace is genuine enough and they can handle the testing ground. The distance itself, on a Soft 7, makes this a true test of stamina.

This is a Maiden Plate, meaning all runners are yet to win a race and carry set weights (with allowances for fillies/mares). This can lead to unpredictable race shapes, as many horses are still learning. The form guide is littered with comments like "slowly away," "keen," and "raced greenly," which adds a layer of uncertainty to the map. The race is likely to be a battle between those with proven stamina over the trip and those stepping up who may or may not see it out strongly on the testing ground.