Chief Stipe

Which is how much?

LOL - like Ellerslie did in January?

I'm telling you now it isn't the camber or your assumed lack of that is the problem. Have you walked the track? The horses hooves are not penetrating the surface due to the grass type and root matting at the top layer. That is a fact and is the only piece of truth that we have seen so far. The rest of the nonsense is a deflection. Hell even the merchant who sold them the gravel and sand is saying it is the camber and that it couldn't be fixed because of the volcanic rock! Which is nonsense when they can dig a bloody big hole! There is a camber but your theory is there isn't or it isn't sufficient. How big a camber should there be for that curve?

You're completely ignoring my point. It isn't the camber it's primarily the track surface that is causing the problem. Putting more camber on it will result in them slipping sideways more. If it was the camber then why aren't they slipping every race meeting? There are many tracks that have tigher bends but zero camber and yet no slipping. Why? It's because the horses can get a grip on the surface. The shape of the final part of the bend into the straight doesn't help Ellerslie. But to pursue your point how much camber would be needed?

Yes but the tighter the corner the more camber you need. I don't believe that is the problem at Ellerslie. It isn't shaped like Moonee Valley. Pictures below. The issue is the track however the two corners that they should have reshaped because either money or marketing spin got in the way i.e. they wanted to retain the "iconic shape of Ellerslie". The corner at the top of the straight is a bit of a dog leg (you couldn't camber it if you tried) and the one out of the straight is worse. You only have to watch a 2000m or 2400m race to see the latter. Why they don't slip going out of the straight has me baffled but perhaps it is because it is uphill. They should have reshaped the course slightly. The sweeping corner is slightly cambered but the curve (until you get to turn in) is gradual enough to not need much cambering. Moonee Valley and Ellerslie - roughly to scale.

From the Stewards Report: LANIKAI (M Cameron) – Over-raced through the early and middle stages. Lost its footing when racing free of interference rounding the final turn approaching the 400 metres. As a result of LANIKAI losing its footing near the 400 metres a meeting was convened with all riders, Stipendiary Stewards and Club Representatives. A track inspection was then undertaken which found a number of slip marks in the area near the 400 metres. A further meeting was then held between Stipendiary Stewards, Jockey Representatives and Club Officials following which the remaining two races were abandoned by the Stipendiary Stewards due to safety concerns.

He's a journalist...

Anyway this Topic is about Imperatriz. A horse that has been well trained and managed throughout its career. Barely 16 hands standing on a stone but the winner of some of the biggest sprint races in Australia and New Zealand.

That happens from most if not all big stables. Ask Rogie! I met one of those types of owners recently at the races. Quite frankly they were a dead set pain in the arse and should never have owned a horse in the first place even though over the years they had experienced a lot of success. The Syndicate Contracts are very clear. Obviously they didn't read them. But your story seems unlikely when Te Akau have a stable in Canterbury and I'm sure would have considered relocation. Anyone who has owned a number of horses will tell you that they've had a really good one that shows enormous talent at home but just doesn't get it on raceday. As for Syndicate communication I was with an owner on course recently just after their horse had raced. It had shown promise winning a trial against good opposition. The communication from the Syndicator (via text) and the relatively big stable was essentially that the horse was a dog and was sacked. Some bigger stables have that sort of communication sorted out.

Well I've met 5 Te Akau owners recently who each have a share in over 20 of the stable horses. I guess they're not "normal" but they've clocked up quite a few major group wins in the last two seasons. Needless to say they are very happy. I know one first time owner who has a 100% strike rate (runners to winners) this season and has nabbed a number of group races. Back to Imperatriz you could have bought a 2.5% share (yes some people have a share that size) for $9,000. You would have a share of $7m in stakes and probably close to that again when she sells. Not to mention the 10 Group One wins. Needless to say the not normal owners have reinvested.

Nope. No doubt they are doing a joint creative writing exercise. I wonder if they will change the recent trend of not posting the Steward's video.

Perhaps but the grass on this new surface is such that the horses hooves are not penetrating the surface. Liken it to racing on glass - having a camber just changes the vector of the slipping as the hooves still won't be penetrative the surface. I listened to Wilcox explaining how after they did the first round of remedial work the horses hooves were going in 10mm! The picture I posted doesn't show that. The only reason they don't slip on the inside is because the surface has become rough. The wider you go on the bend the less rough it is hence more slipping.

Couldn't you say that about the AWT's as well?

There's no such thing as a "normal" owner.

Picture taken on workouts day 26 Feb 2024.

It's also a nonsense to make any excuses for the ARC. The responsibility for providing a safe and fair track rests entirely with them.

But your "observations" seem to have a common theme. I was just pointing out she is an onwer and syndicate manager so has every right to be front and centre. Can you think of anyone better to give the trophy speeches?

Have you walked Ellerslie since the rebuild? I have twice. The problem ISN'T a lack of camber. Comparing it to Moonee Valley is like comparing chalk and cheese given the difference in the top layer. The problem is the sand. Cambering it won't stop the slipping - as I said it would make the problem worse. They went faster at Ellerslie in race 1 today on a soft 5 than Imperatriz did winning the William Reid Stakes on a Good 4. The top horses struggle to break 1:10 at Moonee Valley and that has nothing to do with the camber. In race 1 today at Ellerslie they ran 1:09.68.

That would have made it worse.

What was the reason? Visibility? The weather was worse at Randwick!

Geez. KFE IS an Owner AND the Syndicate Manager. If you looked closer at the video instead of focusing on KFE you would have seen many of the other owners!

They would have still run it 146 years ago.

Has anyone else noticed that for two months now the Stewards Video has not been posted for Ellerslie? Do3s anyone know the reason?