Canterbury Races

Canterbury Races

Introduction

Canterbury Races are the home of Sydney’s major midweek events – and is also the destination for the increasingly popular night racing.

The track sits only 15 minutes South-West of the Sydney CBD, and is run by the Sydney Turf Club.

The Canterbury Races are one of the closest tracks for access in Sydney, although it no longer features a racing carnival. Instead, opting to increase midweek race meetings. The track also hosts a slew of Saturday Race Meetings if Rosehill requires a break.

The track is clockwise and is considered to have quite a small circumference, rounding in at 1,567 – with a straight of 308 metres.

This suits horses which can either set the speed, or race on the pace.

Canterbury Racecourse Details

Address: King Street
Suburb: Canterbury, NSW, 2193
Phone Number: (02) 9930 400s
Circumference: 1,567m
Direction: Clockwise
Track Type: Turf

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Key Canterbury Races

Canterbury Park hosts multiple midweek races that generally begin around 1pm on Wednesday. Seven Races will take place during each meet, with a multitude of handicaps between 100m and 1900m.

There are also a range of categories, from Maidens, 3-YO and over, set weights, colts and geldings only and fillies and mares only.

Canterbury Racing Tips     

Canterbury Racecourse Barrier and Starting Positions

Canterbury Park Racecourse has a more rogue circumference and course characteristic than most other NSW Courses.

The track is pear shaped and has two tight corners, with a short final straight and circumference of 1,567m.

There are two chutes in the 1200m and 1550m starts which will assist with inside barriers, but usually the performance of the track tends to favour a leader on pace preference. This is particularly apparent when the rail is out 4m or more.

The ideal position for runners at this track is the first half of the field, near the inside rail – most distances have an inside barrier preference if the horse is suited.

The final straight sits just over 300m, and it makes it incredibly difficult for backmarkers to swing wide and up the field.

However, it can be possible to do this in middle distance races, when the rail is true.

1200m: Begins in a barrier on the back of the straight, which offers a long final run up to the last turn. Although the gates are not as important at this distance, good positioning and racing on/near the pace coming out of the turn, gives a clear advantage.

1000m: Begins in a barrier after the chute joins the course proper, with a short run to the turn. This is incredibly similar to the 1200m, but if you draw a barrier wider than 10, you’re going to have a problem.

1550m: Begins in a long chute, which joins the course proper into the back straight. This begins with a short run up to the turn, with a clear advantage to inside draws. When passing the 1000m mark, there’s a short straight, turn and another short final straight. Clear advantage also given here to on pacers drawn in.

1900m: The longest race run here begins right in front of the grandstand, leaving runners to head all the way around the first long turn, followed by the back straight, the final turn, and the final front straight for a second time. Inside barriers once again handy here, especially for on-pacers or leaders, who are also well-suited.
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Canterbury Races Results

Getting to the Track

There are multiple ways to get to Canterbury Park Racecourse.

Train: The nearest train station to the park is Canterbury Station, on the Bankstown Line. From there, it is only a 5 minute walk to the Canterbury Park Racecourse.

Check out the Cityrail Timetable for more info!

Bus: There’s a free shuttle bus which runs from Everton Road or Strathfield Station. This will take you straight to the track on race days.

Car: Canterbury Park Racecourse is located on King Street in Canterbury. It’s only a 15 minute drive out of Sydney’s CBD, and with plenty of parks available, driving is the perfect option (unless you’re planning on having a few beers!)

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