Chief Stipe

I'm with Freda on this topic. Her post was a reasoned one based on practical experience at Riccarton. When we compare today's track conditions with yesteryear we shouldn't forget we are comparing two different measurement systems. One used an umbrella and some experienced locals walking the track and coming up with a hard and fast, fast, good, soft or heavy rating. We now have a tool called a penetrometer and a series of point ratings. Now the accuracy of that tool is dependent on a number of factors. Has it been recently recalibrated, has its readings ever been calibrated against another tool for the local conditions, is the operator properly trained and is there a foolproof procedure for operating and collating the data. I've never accepted that the penetrometer has ever been used with any degree of accuracy in NZ. For a start it seems like too much work when there are other things to do with an approaching race meeting. Secondly race times don't always reflect what the penetrometer says. From what I've been told horses will instinctively protect themselves when running on conditions that they feel will hurt them. It's a bit like you Brian shortening your stride when walking across the icy pub car park or when walking across the slippery path towards the chook yard. Soil structure has the most significant influence on track conditions. Take a Strathayr track. You'll never get an F1 and it is hard to get a G2 on that type of track. That's because the soil structure has artificial elements that help maintain its high quality. It retains moisture when conditions are dry and it drains freely when conditions are wet. Grass root deeply rather than shallow as they do on compacted soils. Riccarton displays all the characteristics of a soil structure that is stuffed. Ellerslie and Te Rapa are the same. As for a leaders bias if you think about it if conditions are not conducive to horses letting down then if you are too many lengths off the leaders who have probably run soft early sectionals then you can't catch them.

Rule Number(s): 869(2) and Use of Whip GuidelinesFollowing the running of Race 1 the “BISHOPDALE & BUSH INN TABS (Amateur Drivers) Mobile Pace”, an Information was filed by Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr N Ydgren alleging a breach of Rule 869(2) by Amateur Driver, Mr A Edge. The Information stated that Mr Edge used his whip in contravention of the use ... (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

I just don't see the point of so many options and race meetings on the TAB. What other industry dilutes their revenue stream by flooding the market with low yielding low quality product. Take the race just run at Golden Gate (wherever that is) - less than $100 in the pool! What's more you could argue it on encourages the problem pathological gambler who needs the early morning fix.

No Freda that solution was far too simple!

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Yes the soil structure is stuffed. I know we hear often about the best tracks being those prepared by farmers but I can imagine the good farmers were frustrated by not having the option of cultivating and resowing the circular paddock from time to time. To enable ensure good soil structure. Hence the artificial structure created in Strathyr tracks give you a longer time between renewal.

Yep I hear you Reefton. My biggest ownership win (a Grp 3) was on a F1!!! I think it was the first time a track was rated an F1. Hard and Fast used to cover it in the old days. 8 horses were lined up neck and neck with a 100m to go. Darryn Tyquin called it "the charge of the light brigade". They'd probably call the races off if a track was rated F1 today.

Rule Number(s): 869(2) and Use of the Whip RegulationsFollowing the running of Race 9, Kaiapoi Club Handicap Trot, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr SP Renault, against Licensed Graduation Driver, Ms KJ Hodgson, alleging that, as the driver of DIANA HARBOUR in the race, she “used her whip on more occasions than permitted in Clause (b) ... (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(3)(b)Following the running of Race 7, Papanui Club Junior Drivers Pace, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr SP Renault, against Licensed Junior Driver, Mr JD Harrington, alleging that Mr Harrington, as the driver of BILLIE JEAN in the race, “drove carelessly by allowing BILLIE JEAN to contact ... (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(3)(b)Following the running of Race 6, Woolston Club Mobile Pace, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr SP Renault, against Licensed Junior Driver, Miss SJ Tomlinson, alleging that Miss Tomlinson, as the driver of HURRICANE BANNER in the race, was “careless by allowing HURRICANE BANNER to shift ... (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2) and Use of the Whip RegulationsFollowing the running of Race 5, Cashmere Club Trot, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr SP Renault, against Licensed Open Driver, Mr SR McNally, alleging that, as the driver of WOT UP in the race, he “used his whip on more occasions than permitted in the Whip Regulations Clause (b)”. ... (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 870(5)Following the running of Race 7, Papanui Club Junior Drivers Pace, an Information instigating a protest was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr SP Renault, against THE CROUPIER (SJ Tomlinson), placed 4th by the judge, on the ground that it “broke prior to and over the finish line and was lapped on” by MYBOYLOLLIEPOP ... (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

An impressive barrier trial at Cranbourne has Viddora on track for the Gr. 1 Moir Stakes. (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Three recent northern hemisphere winners have been given weight penalties for the Melbourne Cup. (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

An impressive barrier trial at Cranbourne has Viddora on track for the Gr. 1 Moir Stakes. (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Jamie Richards was back at the track this morning, looking little the worse for wear after five days… (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Three recent northern hemisphere winners have been given weight penalties for the Melbourne Cup. (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Exciting filly Verry Elleegant is heading for Victoria after a majority share was bought by clients … (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Jamie Richards was back at the track this morning, looking little the worse for wear after five days… (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Progressive imported stayer Avilius will not run in the Metropolitan Handicap at Randwick, with Godo… (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Exciting filly Verry Elleegant is heading for Victoria after a majority share was bought by clients … (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Progressive imported stayer Avilius will not run in the Metropolitan Handicap at Randwick, with Godo… (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article