Track in perfect condition
GEELONG Racing Club track manager James Dalton says a recent downpour has paved the way for near perfect racing conditions for today’s Geelong Cup.
Dalton has been targeting the race club’s major meet since taking over the role late last year from former track manager Mark Jennings and has declared the track will be a Good 4.
“We’ve had really good growing conditions with the rain earlier in the week and then a bit of bright sunshine to get the growth going, so we have got a really good cover of grass,” Dalton said.
“We will be on a Good 4, so there will be a nice bit of give in the surface and it will most likely stay in that range for the day. There will be no excuses with the track, I would have thought.”
Dalton came to Geelong after a nine-year stint with trainer Danny O’Brien and has already overseen major track renovations in his short time in charge.
With little chance of rain this afternoon he conceded he was eager to see how the track held up on the club’s biggest day of the year.
“I feel really good, I haven’t had to compare it to previous cups but as far as this one goes it seems like it has gone really well,” Dalton said.
“It is a big build-up and you are always looking at it on the calendar throughout the year.
“The stakes for the Geelong Cup are a bit higher but I’m excited and really looking forward to the day.”