I don't take as much interest as I probably should in the actual physical side of racing, it tends to be a bunch of numbers to me, but one thing stood out to me about this years Melbourne Cup. The more I saw Lee Freedman say Makybe Diva wouldn't run if the track was too dry the more I saw shots of them watering the Flemington race course. Perhaps this amount of watering is usual but it reminded me of Indian groundsmen preparing a pitch before a cricket match in India - specially prepared to favour one team.
Is this extensive watering usual?
KV

The media have a way of creating doubt about certain things. I have never seen them water the track before, but that doesn't mean it has never happened.

I think it is their responsibilty to create a fair track for all. With the hot weather in Melbourne that day they needed to put a bit of give into it. Who would want to run their horse on a hard track over 3200m.

I don't really know either way, all I have to go by is the media coverage, so I choose not to make a decision.

It seems to me that it is alright to run any other day's racing on a fast track except when there is the usual amount of hype concerning the Melbourne Cup. I don't bet in the Melbourne Cup so I'm not talking through my pocket but I think the weather that Mother Nature serves up is all that should be considered.

I think Makybe would have won no matter what the track rating, but I think they should have prepared the track as they do for every other meeting of the year. it just puts a bit of an unneccesary ? over the race.

When have they ever prepared Flemington by saying we will make it a dead rating for the start of the meeting because we know it will be good at some time during the day. Can we expect to see dead ratings throughout the summer from here on in.

I became a little annoyed with all the "we will scratch if the track is not what we want." by L. Freedman. who has also become a little too smug for my liking. Maybe I am becoming a little too carried away, excuse me if I am.

Top Rank, rest assured there are a lot of like minded people to yourself on this one. (taking nothing away from the victory of course)

There's been alot of debate about this - mostly media beat-up plus some sour grapes. The Vic stewards have adopted a strict 'no fast track' policy for all meetings, out of concern for the horses. I think it's fair enough. If you doubt the reasoning, go run two miles on concrete in bare feet and see how you feel.

You can debate this according to your opinion, but it is not a case of the track being watered for one race.

Glad to hear that Shoto, as long as what's good for the Goose ....etc, etc......