Australian track ratings range from Fast to Heavy and they are very important for the racing public to ensure punters are aware of the racing conditions for the day to make an informed bet on a particular fancy.
Most horses race best on a firm, dry track and are best suited to Fast and Good tracks, while other horses are able to plough through the mud on a wet track quite easily and are best suited to wet conditions.
Once the track conditions are known you can study the form guide even further and look for horses who have previous winning form in the conditions of the race in question before placing a bet.
Australian race track ratings have changed in recent times to have a graded rating system that provides a more accurate assessment of the condition of the track.
Australian Race Track Ratings
| Category |
Scale |
Description |
| FAST |
1 |
A dry hard track |
| GOOD |
2 |
A firm track |
| GOOD |
3 |
Ideal track with some give |
| DEAD |
4 |
Track with give, better side of Dead |
| DEAD |
5 |
Significant amount of give, worse side of Dead |
| SLOW |
6 |
A mildly rain affected track, better side of Slow |
| SLOW |
7 |
Rain affected, worse side of Slow |
| HEAVY |
8 |
Soft track, just into Heavy range |
| HEAVY |
9 |
Very soft, genuine Heavy |
| HEAVY |
10 |
Very soft and wet, heaviest category |
Race tracks that have received very heavy rainfall could have a track that is rated at worse than Heavy 10 which may cause the track to be unsafe for racing and the meeting can conceivably be postponed or abandoned. If a race club alters a track rating during the course of a race meeting it will sound a siren at the track to alert punters to the change.
