There’s no turf track anymore at Wolverhampton, but instead a busy all-weather track.
The surface here is Tapeta, much like at Newcastle and Southwell, only this time there is a much more American look to the course with it being only one mile around.
There is a starting chute at the back of the track for six-furlong races and another on the side used for events over 7 furlongs and 1m 6f.
The run-in here is only two furlongs so that, as well as the tight turns, means that there is little time for runners to sort themselves. You really want to be in position here going into the final quarter-mile. Unlike at Southwell therefore, speed is still favoured here on the Tapeta more than stamina.
Wolverhampton Course Draw Bias Overview
Though the pace angle evens out over a mile and 1m1f, it is king over five to seven furlongs at Wolverhampton.
There is little time to get into things after the final bend and even less time to get involved before that bend over shorter trips.
We have more on that below, along with any draw advantages.
5 Furlongs at Wolverhampton
Over five furlongs, runners here begin on the back straight. There is not a lot of time before the turn comes, then only a two-furlong run-in after the bend. Speed wins at this trip, there is no doubt about that. Around 5 times more winners at this trip come from on the pace versus from the back.
As for the draw, low numbers are favoured (around the inner) if there are enough runners, around 8 minimum to be seen to best effect, otherwise the draw isn’t the major factor here.
6 Furlongs at Wolverhampton
This time around, only twice as many front-running types win versus genuine hold-up horses but that is still significant. They start in a chute over six furlongs and there is a little more time for the field to get organised before the bend, which is why the speed advantage is lessened just a tad.
This trip is just short of six furlongs in truth and while the pace bias dissipates slightly, so does the low draw bias. A low draw remains OK, but it is not essential in order to win.
7 Furlongs at Wolverhampton
Now up to seven furlongs, we see similar pace stats to those recorded over six furlongs. There is a turn soon after the start, but then there is more time in the back straight to get organised.
There isn’t a strong draw bias either, but the bottom half of the draw (low numbers near the inner rail) is ideal. If you combine a lowish draw with the pace angle it can still make a difference, but individually they are desirable rather than essential.
8½ Furlongs at Wolverhampton
We can’t go over exactly a mile at Wolverhampton as we’d be on the turn. Over the extended mile, the turn still comes up very quickly meaning a low draw is favoured for sure.
There are various turns to take over a mile, with a wide draw not being a killer for some as it may keep horses out of trouble on the first turn.
A low draw would be ideal as long as your horse is quick out of the gate and likes to race up with the pace the whole way.
Longer Distances at Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton hosts races over 1m 1f, 1m 4f, 1m 5½f, 1m 6½f and 2m ½f. Over these trips, the draw doesn’t really enter the equation a whole lot. Stamina comes into play on the Tapeta over 1m5+, with speed less and less a factor the more the trip increases.