Jockeys inspected the Sportsbet-Ballarat surface after two patches in the home straight were deemed softer than the rest of the course, but gave it the all clear and completed a good day of racing.

Ballarat Turf Club track manager Dylan O’Neill said it was a minor issue.

“There was just a couple of softer patches up the straight,” O’Neill said.

“I wouldn’t say (it was from) too much watering, it was just a couple of patches just didn’t perform the same as the rest of the track.

“It’s the first time we have had to put that much water on leading up to a meeting since the track has been done so it was just a bit of a suck and see. It wasn’t ideal (Thursday) morning, but the track has dried out and it has raced really well.”

Racing Victoria steward Corie Waller said the track was rated as a dead 4 overall, but a dead 5 from the 400m to the winning post, with sections at 400m and 200m slightly softer.

“It’s not ideal. It has impacted a little bit on how well the track has raced, however, as the day progressed riders become more and more happy with the track,” Waller said.

Thursday’s meeting was the second back at the track since its overhaul.

Smerdon’s emerging stayer Zakayla was perhaps the most impressive winner of the day, bolting in the City of Ballarat fillies and mares benchmark 64 handicap, 2000m.

The horse claimed a four-and-a-half-length victory after a front-running ride by jockey Craig Williams.

“I really think there is a lot of upside with her going forward,” Smerdon said. “It will be interesting to see how far she goes, but being her first preparation, I think there is good steps to be made with her in the future.”

Smerdon also had success with Killara Miss, while Weir won the last two races on the card with Duble Barrel Daisy and Eruption.