New Track for SA

Schofield to look at Geelong Synthetic track

Star Sydney rider Glyn Schofield will travel to Victoria on Tuesday to conduct a reconnaissance mission on the Geelong Synthetic circuit.

South African authorities are believed to be considering the installation synthetic tracks with Geelong’s Pro-Ride surface among those of interest.
The South African-born Schofield will assess the Geelong Synthetic track before reporting back to his homeland on the merits of the track.

Trainers have booked Schofield for five mounts at Tuesday’s meeting. Schofield will ride debutant two-year-old Purrfect Cocktail in the GRC Function and Event Centre Maiden Plate (1000m) for David Hayes while Allan Williams and Max Hinton have secured Schofield for two mounts each.

Schofield will partner Miletrain for Williams in the Market Square Shopping Centre Maiden (1900m) as well as De La Laq for the Cranbourne trainer in the Inkstoreonline 0-62 Handicap (1300m).

Hinton has booked Schofield to ride Charltonian in the Thirsty Camel Bottleshops 0-62 Handicap (1300m) and Tyro Goddess in the Geelong Advertiser Just Think Maiden Plate (1300m).

Ryan do you ever here them reporting on the conditions of the all weather tracks in aus? do they need a lot of water etc?

no i haven't heard how they DEAL with them in terms of water, Glyn seemed to have positive comments saying it was much better than the Taepta in Dubai and gave all horses a chance,
Expect to see one at Greyville and even Kenilworth soon

Story By James Buckley

Wednesday, 30 May 2012: Champion Sydney-based jockey Glyn Schofield has thrown his support behind Geelong's Pro-Ride track after testing the revolutionary synthetic surface first-hand on Tuesday.




Schofield had five rides at the Victorian provincial circuit after being asked by South African group Gold Circle to provide an opinion on the uniquely cushioned track.

Gold Circle is considering installing Pro-Ride training tracks at a handful of their clubs, which could include Kenilworth and Greyville.

And the veteran jockey will be providing a glowing endorsement.

“The track certainly rode very very well,” Schofield said.

“The horses were comfortable on it which is the most important thing – they had a good footing. I've ridden on some synthetic tracks which haven't given the same feel.

“I spoke to a few of the jocks who ride there regularly and they were all very happy with the track, so that's always a good indication.”

Pro-Ride constructed its first training track in Australia 12 years ago and has now installed 24 tracks across the country.

In June of 2010 they installed their first race track at Geelong, which hosts race meetings between April and September each year.

Within three months of installation the track had conduceted 30 meetings, which included 14 transfers from other Victorian tracks due to poor weather.

Each Pro-Ride track provides a two-stage cushioning effect, on top of the ground and at a molecular level, which removes track bias and increases consistency.

Schofield kicked home a winner during his rare trip to a Victorian provincial meeting, saluting aboard De La Laq in the Restricted 62 Handicap (1300m).

He was particularly impressed by the reduction in aggression from other jockeys during the race, who usually look to muscle their way on to the best ground at other tracks.

“I was in many different positions on the day, I led, I sat back on the track, I was wide, I was on the fence,” Schofield said.

“It was very consistent the way it rode whichever position I got in.

“From a riding perspective it rode very well, it was safe, consistent and the horses seemed to enjoy it.

“I enjoyed it as a rider, I wasn't getting lambasted with sand or dirt or whatever so it was good.

“I can only give them a positive from my experience today. I'm finding it difficult to find a negative.”

lets hope the chosen track is better than the chosen starting stalls...