Racing terms

Course Proper

The course proper is the principal racing surface at a venue, distinguished from the inner training tracks, sand tracks and course-proper-adjacent surfaces used for work. Some venues can transfer a meeting off the course proper to an all-weather or inner track when the grass is unsafe, which changes bias, tempo and the relevance of previous form at the venue entirely.

In use

Persistent rain forced the meeting off the course proper and onto the synthetic.

Related terms

SyntheticAn artificial racing surface rated separately from turf.All-Weather TrackAn engineered surface that stays raceable through heavy rain.Track BiasA systematic advantage to a running style or part of the track.RailThe running rail bounding the inside of the track.

More in racing terms

Acceptance Apprentice Apprentice Claim Barrier Draw Benchmark Class Colours Colt Correct Weight Dead Track Declaration Distance