Salisbury is a Flat-only venue situated in Wiltshire.
The track is a turf one featuring a straight mile and a tight right-handed loop. The loop brings runners to the seven-furlong point, with another elbow at the five-furlong mark on the run-in which rises all the way to the line.
Similar to Hamilton those running over longer distances, in this case 1m 4f and 1m 6f, have to backtrack along the home straight before taking a left into the loop and then going right into the run-in.
The popular Group 3 Sovereign Stakes is run here.
Salisbury Course Draw Bias Overview
Before we talk about the draw, we have to mention that even right up to the maximum 1m 6f trip at Salisbury the pace bias remains pronounced. Hold-up horses rarely win here.
When those coming from the back do win, they tend to be very talented indeed and/or be reliant on a very strong pace. So, if two ore more runners want the lead and force a very strong pace, races here can be set up for those coming from the back but generally those on the front end do better.
There is a steady rise at Salisbury right along the seven-furlong run-in. That doesn’t really help those wishing to use stamina. Unlike at Ascot, Newmarket, Newcastle etc where there are stiff uphill finishes closer to the line, leaders don’t tend to get caught for stamina here close home. Those dictating from the front are still favoured.
Factor that in along with the draw then, as whatever bias suits the various distances here can be negated if the horses ‘drawn well’ don’t have the requisite pace.
5 Furlongs at Salisbury
There are relatively few five-furlong races here. Depending on where the stalls are placed, especially if they are on the far side, low numbers can have a very small advantage but that’s all it is.
6 Furlongs at Salisbury
Again, there is a very limited advantage to be gained here but once more it would be towards the low numbers on the far side. In this case, runners take the elbow after the six-furlong start and so just a little ground can be saved by those drawn low. It is not a stark advantage however.
7 Furlongs and a Mile at Salisbury
Over seven furlongs and a mile, runners have two and three furlongs respectively before hitting the elbow. With that, there is not much of a statistical advantage to being drawn low but if there is one, that’s where it lies.
A low draw advantage over 7f and 1m is minimal, but it can be taken into consideration in larger fields especially if the pace horses are on that side of the track.
Longer Distances at Salisbury
The data gives us little in terms of true draw biases over longer distances at Salisbury, but we would factor in high draws as being a generally good thing over 1m 4f and 1m 6f.
Over these trips, runners backtrack along the home straight before taking a left turn into the loop. Position and pace is key here, so those drawn closest to the far rail (high) over these trips can get a good racing position easier going to the loop.
That allows them key track position turning right into the run-in where again, those near the front tend to do better than those looking to close from the back.