Tucked in among the houses and shops, this racecourse is right near the centre of Redcar.
As such, it’s a narrow course featuring a couple of tight bends.
The track is turf, left-handed and hosts Flat racing only.
There is a straight mile and a round course of around 1 mile, 6 furlongs.
There is a long five-furlong home straight after the tight final bend.
Redcar Course Draw Bias Overview
Races run from five furlongs up to a mile are on the straight course here. The track is basically flat all the way around, including on the straight.
Its flat nature tends to make people think that Redcar is very fair, but there are some tight bends and some parts of the track seemingly offering slight advantages to certain runners.
There is a very pronounced pace bias over shorter trips at Redcar. That bias remains up to at least a mile and a quarter, diminishing only over staying distances over around 1m6f and longer.
We cannot stress enough that in the vast majority of cases you don’t win horse races by allowing the other runners a head start. We all remember those fast-finishers who win on the line, but it’s an art which requires big fields and a lightning pace which is a minority case.
Redcar is no different in this regard. Here, like elsewhere, you should use pace along with the draw to make your selections. For example, when a runner is drawn high away from the bends the disadvantage isn’t the bend itself (common myth), but more the fact that such a horse has to expend a lot of energy to get to the front or has to suffer at the back of the pack.
5 Furlongs at Redcar
Funnily enough, there aren’t a huge amount of large field races over five furlongs here. Low draws have come out best in the past, but that may be mostly due to runners sticking to the far rail.
6 Furlongs at Redcar
Statistically, there is a slight Redcar Champion Two Year Old Trophy draw bias. Low draws won’t do much harm over six furlongs here in general, but when there are large field and/or when the stalls are placed on the stands side then high numbers tend to be best.
7 Furlongs and 1 Mile at Redcar
We continue on the straight course for seven-furlong and one-mile races at Redcar. Statistically, there is no real bias over these distances which isn’t a great surprise on a flat, straight course.
Watch out as always for the pace angle, while also looking out for the stalls position if there aren’t a lot of runners. If the field is racing on the far side, then low numbers may be best, while if they are on the near side then high numbers can take a slight advantage.
Longer Distances at Redcar
One thing people look out for is a Zetland Gold Cup draw bias. That race, a particularly competitive event over 1 mile, 2 furlongs, actually allows punters to work mostly with the good old form book.
The pace angle won’t be as crucial over this trip as it is over shorter ones, while the draw bias is almost non-existent too. That said, just a very slight advantage can be taken into account for a horse boasting both strong pace and a low(ish) draw.
There are also similar things to be said about races here over longer trips, with starts at Redcar for events over 1m 5½f, 1m 6f, 2m and 2m 3f. Here, you should stick to form and remember that even at this track, stamina counts in staying events especially on soft ground.