Underrated jockey Wesley Marwing produced a good ride on Electra Green today for his Uncle Weiho Marwing and they made it a quick double in the second race, but was Electra Green allowed to dictate at too slow a pace by the other jockeys? (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Turf Talk
It used to be the “Cape Crawl” but recently there have been grumbles about races being run too slowly at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
However, as far as the polytrack goes it is not clear whether this is due to the surface being slower at present or the riders just going too slowly.
Nevertheless, the start to finish winner over 1200m in November, Teerex, is a good horse to compare to today’s 1200m start to finish winner Electra Green.
Teerex took eleven starts to win his maiden so is no great shakes although he was admittedly rated 80 when winning his maiden compared to the 68 rating of the filly Electra Green.
Below are the sectionals of the pair in their start to finish maiden wins, both over 1200m on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly on November 8 2023 and January 10 2024 respectively.
To add some further perspective the times of 80 rated three-time winner William Rufus, who won over the course and distance on January 3 this year, are also included.
Teerex first 100m 08/11/2023 8.71 seconds – Electra Green 10/01/2024 8.96 seconds – William Rufus 03/01/2024 8.89 seconds
Teerex second 100m 4.74 seconds – Electra Green 05.03 – William Rufus 5.06 seconds
Teerex third 100m 5.14 seconds – Electra Green 5.66 seconds – William Rufus 5.64 seconds
Teerex fourth 100m 5.20 seconds – Electra Green 5.71 seconds – William Rufus 5.45 seconds
Teerex fifth 100m 5.49 seconds – Electra Green 5.93 seconds – William Rufus 5.64 seconds
Teerex sixth 100m 5.64 seconds – Electra Green 6.02 seconds – William Rufus 5.75 seconds
Teerex seventh 100m 5.62 seconds – Electra Green 5.94 seconds – William Rufus 5.59 seconds
Teerex eighth 100m 5.55 seconds – Electra Green 5.72 seconds – William Rufus 5.44 seconds
Teerex ninth 100m 5.58 seconds – Electra Green 5.54 seconds – William Rufus 5.42 seconds
Teerex tenth 100m 5.70 seconds – Electra Green 5.79 seconds – William Rufus 5.52 seconds
Teerex eleventh 100m 5.94 seconds – Electra Green 5.97 seconds – William Rufus 5.68 seconds
Teerex twelfth 100m 6.21 seconds – Electra Green 6.21 seconds – William Rufus 6.01 seconds
Overall time: Teerex 69.56 seconds – Electra Green 72.53 seconds. – William Rufus 70.16 seconds
Teerex is obviously a better horse than Electra Green, but a difference of three seconds over that trip must represent a distance of about 17 to 18 lengths.
Electra Green finished just 5,70 lengths behind the well regarded Minogue over 1400m in her previous start, so is not that bad.
The William Rufus time shows that the surface is indeed likely slower at present.
However, in the first race today the riders perhaps allowed Electra Green to dictate at too slow a pace.
Later today the now six-time winner Star Choice (merit rated 68) recorded a time of 71.55 seconds coming from last.
In conclusion, the surface does seem to be a touch slower at present than it was a couple of months ago.
However, front-runners going as slow as Electra Green went today should surely be taken on.
