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While some may have been surprised by The Cleaner’s recent qualification for the Cox Plate, regular visitors to tasracing.com.au to check his StrideMASTER information will not be.
StrideMASTER is a tracking system that captures key performance statistics for all horses competing in Tasmanian races.
StrideMASTER developer David Hawke said a review of recent race data revealed that the Tasmanian-bred horse had good gate speed, the ability to control race tempo, the ability to settle mid-race and he could sprint at the end when required.
“Most horses take between 200-metres and 300-metres to reach their peak velocity after the start of a race,” he said.
“The Cleaner does it less than 200-metres after the start, and in some races as soon as 100-metres. Positioning yourself early in a race like the Cox Plate on the tight Moonee Valley track is important.”
Mr Hawke said while The Cleaner was able to comfortably take up a forward position, one of the risks of starting quickly was that a horse could over race and fail to settle.
“What is particularly impressive in The Cleaner’s race pattern is that he is able to back off the speed almost as soon as he reaches peak velocity,” he said. “The ability to relax off such a high speed is an asset and conserves considerable energy for later in the race.”
StrideMASTER speed graphs from distance races at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart and The TOTE Racing Centre in Launceston demonstrate The Cleaner’s ability to settle in the middle stages of a race.
Mr Hawke said most horses had an average stride length of seven-metres to 7.5 metres, but when The Cleaner was at peak velocity his stride was between 7.6 metres and 7.7 metres.
“This makes him an efficient galloper, which also means that when he backs off the tempo in the middle stages of a race he is galloping well within himself and conserving energy,” he said.
Mr Hawke said only the very elite horses were able to regain their peak velocity in the second half of a race.
“StrideMASTER information shows that The Cleaner can accelerate in the latter stages of a race, reaching a similar velocity to that achieved immediately after the start,” he said.
“He can also quicken his leg speed in the second half of a race, again the sign of a good horse.
“If he is allowed to dictate the tempo from the 1400-metre to the 800-metre marks and then increase the tempo again, he may prove difficult to catch on a turning circuit like Moonee Valley.”
“It is clear his pattern of racing is well suited to the track.”
Tasracing chief executive officer Dr Eliot Forbes said the StrideMASTER information provided a detailed insight into The Cleaner’s racing patterns.
“The information shows he gets out fast and can put in another sprint at the end,” he said.
“He has good leg speed, a good stride length and close to 100 per cent efficiency when in full flight.”
Dr Forbes said StrideMASTER information collected and made available at tasracing.com.au had been valuable for wagering customers looking for sophisticated form analysis.
“The information has been just as valuable for owners and trainers to review and understand horse performance,” he said.
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