Track & conditions

Straight

The straight is any unbent section of the course, but in commentary it usually means the home straight — the final run to the winning post. Straight length varies enormously between Australian tracks and shapes how a race is won: Flemington's 450m home straight rewards closers who can sustain a long run, while Moonee Valley's short straight makes it very hard to make ground from the back.

In use

Flemington's long straight suits swoopers far more than Moonee Valley's.

Related terms

ChuteA straight spur off the main circuit used to start certain races.Track BiasA systematic advantage to a running style or part of the track.Speed MapA projection of where each runner will settle and how the race will be run.SprintA short race, generally 1400m or less.

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