The Ascot track is expected to be soft for Frankel’s farewell in the Champion Stakes despite a heavy amount of rain falling on the Berkshire track this week and more forecast.
Ascot clerk of the course Chris Stickels reports the track to be taking the rainfall well but conceded the ground could be heavy in places on the round course should there be another downpour.
“We had a wet night, with 12 millimetres of rain,” Stickels told At The Races.
“It’s a breezy day today (Wednesday) with the occasional blustery shower. There’s more of a rain band due in overnight and tomorrow morning which could deliver a reasonable amount of rain again.
“If it materialises there’s a chance we could be going heavy in places on the round course.
“After that though it does look to be an improving picture for Friday and Saturday
“Once the rain soaks through there’s a chance it will go back to soft.”
The Champion Stakes is the fifth race on the card and due off at 4.05pm (0205 Sunday AEDT) and the racecourse management have no intention of altering the running order.
“There’s fresh ground we’ve been saving since July. It’s taken the rain. We are happy with the running order and we are not planning changing it,” Stickels said.
