| Superlatives
were flowing thick and fast for the new Morphettville track after the surface stood up
superbly to a big weekend of racing which culminated with the running of the Adelaide Cup
on Monday. Many locals believed the track was
not going to be ready for the opening meeting back on April 20, but the track received
glowing praise on that day from trainers and jockeys alike.
The next real big test came last weekend when the track would
be tested for the second and third times within a week.
Adding a touch of uncertainty to the conditions was the
unwelcomed weather conditions. Rain, which at times was quite heavy, drenched the
Morphettville area on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
However, to the delight of local racing officials the track
held up perfectly over the Carnival period.
The track will receive a welcomed rest with only two meetings
programmed at Morphettville until the end of August. The track also received a month rest
in the September/October period and the month of December.
THEY SAID IT:
"This is an outstanding track" - Melbourne trainer
Tony Noonan.
"It's sensational" - Jockey Nash Rawiller.
"I can't believe how well it's stood up to the
rain" - Cup winning trainer Cliff Brown.
"It's worth every dollar that was spent on it" - SA
premier Mike Rann.
"The track has stood up so well" - Adelaide's
leading jockey Travis Creek.
"It was surprisingly good out there today," - Cup
winning jockey Stephen Baster.
"I couldn't be happier with it" - SAJC CEO Steve
Ploubidis.
"It's one of the best in the country" Champion
jockey Damien Oliver. |
