Chief Stipe

Quote from De Lore, The Optimist interview with Pitty: Leading South Island and Riccarton trainer Michael Pitman makes no bones about where he stands in the Riccarton Polytrack debate. He says: “No one knows how much it’s going to cost; that’s the thing that annoys me. They have a ballpark figure; it could be as low as $12 or $13 million, but it could be as high as $18 million, but they don’t know until the design plan is finalised. Michael Pitman: I want to see more racing at Riccarton, and I don’t want to travel anymore… “Personally, and I’m looking at this through rose coloured glass. I am based at Riccarton and have my own property at Yaldhurst, and I want to see more racing at Riccarton, and I don’t want to travel anymore because I’m sick of it.” When asked what Michael Pitman would say to the people in Southland who might lose dates and have to travel more, Michael responded, “I agree with that, they probably will have to travel more, but that’s life. “I’m all in favour of the all-weather track,” Michael continued, “and I hate the criticism of the track coming from people who have never seen one in their life. They are not the be-all and end-all; they’re only an aid, and they’ll probably hold only 12 meetings a year on the Riccarton one.

Once this AWT is installed it will be damn difficult to remove it. The foundation is essentially a tarmac road!

I found the following about the Kempton Park Racecourse Polytrack in the UK. The water issue concerns me especially with the extremes we get in Canterbury. How will a Polytrack behave in a -7 Degree frost? Or a 28 degree Nor' Wester? Large volumes of water needed to produce the ideal all-weather going necessitated investment in a state of the art irrigation system, which uses a high capacity ring main fed from a borehole with a 86 cu.m licence via powerful pumps to Briggs reels and booms. The irrigation system can put 25mm of water on the entire track in forty-eight hours, which also benefits the turf course.The surface itself was commissioned from Martin Collins Enterprises and is a new generation Polytrack mix of sixty-three percent silica sand, recycled materials and binding waxes."Water is added to give 'life' to the surface - in direct contrast to turf, the warmer and dryer it gets, the slower the going - and to prevent 'kickback' which is uncomfortable for horses and riders. Our maintenance programme is dictated by the air temperature and moisture - the material also generates heat and, with an air temperature of 22OC, the ground temperature can be 48OC, so the aim is to get water on and keep it to a temperature of around 20OC," explains Barney.Minimising excessive compaction is also important to provide a consistent, safe surface - the aim is to achieve the equivalent of good-firm going on the turf.Preparation for racing involves using a Kuhn power harrow to 4in deep and a rotavator to 5in to break up any compaction, with a Vaderstad disc cultivator on heavily compacted areas such as crossings.The Cousins Gallop-Master, which combines spring tines with cage rollers to condition and level the surface, is then used to a depth of 3in, with 4.5 and 5m units working wheel to wheel to give a consistent result across the course."Eventually, the material begins to break down and the surface is given an annual audit by Professional Sportsturf Design Ltd to ensure that its composition is right, comments Barney. "We have a very good relationship with the manufacturer, which uses Kempton Park as a training academy and Martin has actually run his own horse here!"Results from the most recent audit have indicated that a top-up will be needed in 2012, rather than a simple rewaxing, which can sometimes rejuvenate an all-weather track. Some 700 tonnes of sand plus wax will be added in the summer and incorporated by the autumn at a cost of £250,000, which will give the material an extra five or six years' lifespan.

I keep going back to the Pakenham Training and Racing Facility for a benchmark on what to expect. They have the longest turf track in Australia (2400m) and a Polytrack. Their average Racecourse and Facility Management cost over the last two years has been $1m a year. That obviously includes ALL facilities on the track. (their Administration cost was $2.8m!). Racecourse development from scratch was around $90m. Note they get a Training Track subsidy from Racing Victoria of about $800,000 per year. 2018-19-annual-report-email.pdf

Still not cheap however a Strathayr doesn't require daily grooming (probably at least twice daily) which a Polytrack does. Being turf based the Strathayr requires less intervention on a daily basis. It is also more tolerant of temperature changes and rainfall unlike a Polytrack.

Yes that is way off from what I've read. They must have factored in significant revenue from on track training fees. Certainly at $50k are year they are not accruing sufficient cash to fund the major revitalisation that occurs every so many years. For example the "poly-fill" doesn't last forever and will have to be imported again.

What are NZTR's maintenance figures?

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of Race 6 (LISTED HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas 1200m), an Information was lodged by Mr Goodwin alleging a breach of Rule 638(1)(d) in that C Dell FLASH WARRIOR permitted his mount to shift out near the 250 when insufficiently clear of ALICE TINKER which was hampered. Mr Goodwin used ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

stage-3-trainer-allotment-pricelist-jan-2020.pdf

V’landys clips RV for ‘grandstanding’ on whip reforms Article Author Clinton Payne 2:21PM08 September 2020 Racing NSW boss Peter V’landys has fired a shot at his Victorian counterparts over their public push for further restrictions on jockeys using the whip. Racing Victoria used the media on Monday to outline a desire to implement “a new framework” for a transition of “the industry to an ultimate prohibition on use of the whip”. “RV will propose that, from 1 January 2021, riders are only permitted to use the whip on a maximum number of occasions throughout the entire race and never in a horse’s consecutive strides,” an RV statement read. “RV is proposing that the maximum number (of strikes) be between five and eight occasions per race.” RV chief executive Giles Thompson added: “It is Racing Victoria’s view that progress on whip reform is needed now, and that the industry nationally, acting in its best long-term interests, should continue to work towards a prohibition on the use of the whip for purposes other than to protect the safety of horses and jockeys. Easter Cup Races “It is critical that jockeys are permitted to carry a whip to ensure their safety and jockey safety is something that we will always advocate. We want to reduce the number of times the whip can be used in Victorian racing, and indeed nationally, from 2021. “This would be an important step in the right direction for our industry, one that recognises the progression of community attitudes in the decade since padded whips were first introduced. V’landys, Thompson’s NSW counterpart, questioned why RV would announce a public stand on the issue while also calling on other jurisdictions to follow their lead when they all meet to discuss this and other issues raised at a Racing Australia board meeting in November. “As a member of Racing Australia we will be abiding by proper corporate governance procedures and we will prosecute our case in the Racing Australia meeting,” V’landys said. Photo Australia Day awards recipient Petyer V'landys, CEO of Racing NSW “We’re certainly not going to prosecute it through the media or do any grandstanding. “They can grandstand and look for cheap publicity all they like but we’ll follow proper corporate governance and express ourselves at the meeting like they should be.” The Australian Jockeys Association chief executive Martin Talty said in a release that the decision by RV to air their intentions publicly “was bewildering”. “Racing has enough issues of national importance needing to be addressed in a cohesive and collaborative manner without PRA’s being at odds with each other like this,” he said.

The difference is I was telling the truth!

Can you get it into your head that you are NOT funny. But the bigger issue is your arrogance and ego make you think that this site is here for your benefit entirely. Not only that you abuse the privilege of being free to express your loony theories at no cost. That was typified in your last post where you call me a MOFO. Dont you understand that that type of behaviour has had you banned from every forum you have tried to post on! As I have said this site costs me enough in terms of money, time and grief without having to tolerate an ungrateful prick such as yourself.

Well your original post is wrong. This change is being pushed by Racing Victoria - NOT Australia. As yet we haven't seen what the other OZ jurisdictions are pushing. And as usual you come in with the extreme examples. I agree with Callendar that this is the thin end of the wedge - the "societal attitudes" want racing to end full stop. Don't give an inch I say. As for Thomarse - he doesn't give a shyte about horse racing - that's obvious.

Rule Number(s): 330(3)(c)Prior to Race 8 (Valachi Downs Foxbridge Plate) Information No. A12934 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It was alleged that Mr T Harris could not make the contracted weight for SCOTT BASE. Mr Jones advised the Committee that he had spoken to Mr Harris earlier on race morning who stated that he , (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of Race 3 (Pak’nSave Clarence Street) Information No. A12937 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It was alleged by the Informant that Ms Newman allowed her mount to shift in when not clear of MOTUMAN which clipped a heel and stumbled near the 2000m. Ms Newman in the presence , (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2)& Use of the Whip RegulationFollowing the running of Race 10, IRT. #1 Airfreight Company for Standardbreds Mobile Pace, an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr S P Renault, against Licensed Junior Driver, Miss A J Cameron, alleging that Miss Cameron, as the driver of BONNY’S GEM in the race, “used her whip on more occasions , (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2)& Use of the Whip RegulationFollowing the running of Race 1, IRT. Supporting the NZ Trotting Cup (Amateur Drivers) Mobile Pace, an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr S P Renault, against Licensed Advanced Amateur Driver, Mr A C White, alleging that Mr White, as the driver of I’M JIMMY JAMES in the race, “used his , (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(3)(b)Following the running of Race 5, IRT. World Leaders in Equine Airfreight Mobile Pace, an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr S P Renault, against Licensed Open Driver, Ms K A Butt, alleging that, as the driver of MIGHTY REACTOR in the race, she drove carelessly near the 100 metres in that , (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Thank God for that. Suggest you shove a fork through your foot! Maybe the Racing Industry should license "Punting Tipsters" and drug test them.

You know the boundaries Thom-arse. If you want to contribute then stay between them.