Gowran Park

Right-handed, undulating and galloping, Gowran Park is a spacious circuit of around a mile and a half. Its numerous rises and falls provide a meaningful stamina test, particularly on soft ground, with the climb along the back straight requiring horses to conserve energy if they are to finish their races strongly.

The chase course runs outside the hurdles track and features seven fences to a circuit. Three are situated in the three-furlong uphill home straight, ensuring jumping remains important deep into a race. The fences are generally fair and inviting, although the third-last can prove a particularly tricky obstacle when pressure begins to increase.

Ground conditions can add considerably to the challenge, with testing going turning Gowran into a searching examination of stamina. Riders who use too much energy climbing the back straight can find their mounts vulnerable late on. Overall, Gowran Park rewards strong, efficient travellers that jump fluently and possess sufficient stamina to cope with its undulations and sustained uphill finish.