Chief Stipe

If you have been following my posts on tracks over the last few years you will acknowledge that I've given Te Rapa a few serves. In my opinion same problem on Saturday different location. At least Te Rapa upgraded from D4 to G3. However Te Rapa on Saturday was a different class of horse to those running at Riccarton on 3rd of October - maidens were running faster times at Riccarton! Also we didn't see clouds of dust at Te Rapa that we saw at Riccarton. I think the issue is we have set a target of G3 and everything has be "re-aligned" to achieve that target. Riccarton on 3rd October wasn't a G3 it was a G2 - Te Rapa on Saturday wasn't a D4 it was a G3. That leads me to believe that the measurement system is all out of whack. When was the last time that the measurement tools were re-calibrated?

They were. If you watched Weigh In a couple of Jockey's gave it a server especially Danielle Johnson. If you have been following my posts on tracks over the last few years you will acknowledge that I've given Te Rapa a few serves. In my opinion same problem on Saturday different location. At least Te Rapa upgraded from D4 to G3. However Te Rapa on Saturday was a different class of horse to those running at Riccarton on 3rd of October - maidens were running faster times at Riccarton! Also we didn't see clouds of dust at Te Rapa that we saw at Riccarton. I think the issue is we have set a target of G3 and everything has be "re-aligned" to achieve that target. Riccarton on 3rd October wasn't a G3 it was a G2 - Te Rapa on Saturday wasn't a D4 it was a G3. That leads me to believe that the measurement system is all out of whack. When was the last time that the measurement tools were re-calibrated?

Proof? Probably like INCA you don't have any.

So you are saying that no one takes notice of the "guideline standards"?

But is it a "guideline" or a "standard" or a "guideline standard" as per the title of the document? Secondly I suspect that there is an unwritten rule now that you can irrigate up to Thursday night before a Saturday meeting and no one asks for permission.

According to the Minimum Venue Guideline Standards document to water after Tuesday night requires National Venue Inspector and Stipes approval. But yes I would agree that a Dead 4 on a Tuesday aiming for a G3 on Saturday would require irrigation during a hot Nor'West week.

You tell me! I think the title has changed but if a local track manager want's to irrigate after Tuesday for a Saturday meeting they have to get approval from the National Venue Inspector and the Stipes - according to the manual.

At last count CWJ has 7 rides at Ashburton on Thursday.

That in my opinion would be the only way to make it to Tuesday with enough buffer to assess the forecast and decide how much in the last irrigation. Of course they can always override that by getting permission from the NZTR National Track manager assuming there still is one! Of course there would be some input from local trainers who want to track gallop on the course proper between race days!

Well the Riccarton Track Manager referred to "moisture content" of 34% leading up to the 3rd of October and 38% leading up to Saturday. Seem fairly fine measurements to me. Although the relationship between track firmness and moisture content would also require some localised calibration I imagine.

Depends on where the field capacity and moisture content is on the Tuesday. My gut feel says you couldn't let the track get to a G2 and expect to bring it back to a D4/5 with one watering. If you get hot temperatures and a Nor-Wester then a D4 would turn into a G2 really quickly. Those penetrometer readings that are listed only work if the penetrometer is calibrated to local conditions e.g. soil type structure etc. Aren't some tracks using another device as well?

It'll be hard work leading up to Guineas day if they have to stop irrigating as per the rules on Tuesday night.

They went 1:22 flat in that race. She ran the fastest last 600m - equal fastest of the day. Jockey for one. He didn't ride all that balanced over the last bit. Probably they'll throw blinkers on - always a roll of the dice move. Cornflower Blue is going to start in the 2000 Guineas.

Is their G4 equal to our D4?

As I said in regard to that were the Jockey's asked? With regard to the penetometer calibration I'm questioning the G3 on the 3rd of October. Perhaps it should have been upgraded that day!

Rule Number(s): 642(1)Following the running of Race 7, the War Decree Stakes (Group 3), Class B Rider, Mr K Asano, filed an Information instigating a protest, under Rule 642(1) in that MARINE, ridden by Mr K Chowdhoory, placed second by the Judge, interfered with the chances of UNITION, ridden by Mr K Asano, placed third ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of Race 10, the NZB Ready to Run Sale Trainers Series R65, an Information was filed by Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr J Oatham, against Class A Rider, Mr R Cuneen, alleging careless riding in that he angled his mount CLOONEY outwards crowding and checking SULU SEA, LEITRIM LAD and ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of Race 10, the NZB Ready to Run Sale Trainers Series R65, an Information was filed by Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr J Oatham, against Class A Rider, Mr K Mudhoo, alleging careless riding in that he allowed his mount BELINDABELLA to shift out when not clear of VERMONT, ridden by ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 834(1)Prior to the running of Race 7 Mr Mulcay submitted an Information in which he alleged that Mrs M Teaz, the co-trainer of ARMED REACTOR had failed to notify the scratching of that horse from Race 7 to the Club Secretary by the official scratching time. Mrs Teaz was present at the hearing and acknowledged ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 834(1)Mr Renault alleged that Mr Shinn failed to give notice to the Secretary of the Club that MISS IMPRESSION was to be scratched before the right of re-entry time. Rule 834(1) provides: “Any person intending to scratch a horse from a race after it has been deemed to have accepted therefore, shall give notice ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

As a loyal south islander I hope you are right. But it will take a horse with more than green talent to beat Need I Say More or Aegon.

I wonder when was Riccarton's penetrometer last recalibrated?

As I posted in another thread it seems to be on auto-pilot as the presenter in the studio doesn't seem to know either. Production team must only work Mon-Fri 9-5.

It's been happening a lot lately. Seems the presenter in the Studio doesn't know half the time either. On Saturday there were big races from OZ that suddenly switched to Trackside 2 with no warning. Normally they would delay the telecast a few mins. I suspect it might all be on auto-pilot rather than have staff in the studio managing things. Cutting costs!

It could be worse -