TIME FOR CHANGE

Abandonment Review Investigation into 6th October raceday and findings The Canterbury Jockey Club has undertaken an investigation into, and review of, the preparation of, and works undertaken, on the Riccarton Park Course Proper from the time of the Grand National Racing Carnival to the racemeeting on Saturday 6 October 2018 with particular reference to the time between the second day of the Canterbury Jockey Club Spring Racing Season on Saturday 22 September and the third day on Saturday 6 October 2018. The third day was abandoned after the running of two races with the balance of the meeting, eight races, subsequently run on Tuesday 9 October 2018.(see image: Sacred Delight wins for Raffles Racing) Consideration was given to the timing of the application of aeration to the Course Proper. Aeration is a regular track maintenance project and is undertaken each Spring (and at other times) to alleviate any tightening of the soil structure that might have occurred over the winter months. Aeration is most effective when conditions suit best – not too wet, not too dry – and is most regularly applied by a Vert-Drain machine or Blec Groundbreaker. Historically the bulk of the work was completed in the three-week period between the third and fourth days of the Spring Racing Season. The rationale behind that has been concerns that a track might crumble or break-up if aerated too close to raceday. Aerating in the three-week period allowed for a time of ‘settling’ to minimise any chance of deterioration in the track happening. This approach was planned for this year with the running rail placed out eight metres for the meeting on Saturday 6 October and the aeration being undertaken on that inside area between the second and third days and the rest of the work planned for the week beginning Monday 8 October. The Verti-Drain machine was put through the Course Proper on the Saturday and Sunday only two to three days before the rescheduled racemeeting on Tuesday 9 October. There were no discernible adverse effects. This leads to the conclusion that the Course Proper can be aerated within the two-week timeframe of racemeetings as they are scheduled at Riccarton Park in the Spring. The lesson that has been learnt is that aeration can be undertaken when conditions suit as opposed to being dictated by a conservative approach to fitting in with racemeetings. This lesson may well be a useful one for not only future preparation at Riccarton Park but other racecourse also. .

I heard that they had a big “pow wow” in Queenstown recently. Why not save money and have it in your own office. or if we are going out “let’s party” no expense spared !!!!!

And I heard you have been tapped on shoulder for the New GROUP to fix racing. Keep a low profile, and you are in.

Tim, Tim, Tim a good CEO accepts when a mistake has been made. One of your staff cut the grass on Friday afternoon which caused the problem. Stop digging a hole !!!!!

Lets hope that Tim organised a working Bee this morning, went to Mitre 10 and bought a dozen rakes and rakes up the grass clippings. Instead they will panic, vertidrain, irrigate, mow, irrigate, roll and we will end up with a track bordering slow with clods flying everywhere. Tim will be happy as they will have 8 winners drinking in the Chairmans Room.

For the future of racing in Cantrerbury and South Island Racing the current CEO should step aside. 25 + years and what has he achieved. Racing has changed, no longer the job of someone who has no other qualifications than having done the same job....forever. For racing to have a future NEW BLOOD is required, NEW IDEAS are required, VISION is required. BUT sadly this will not happen as he has surrounded himself with people who have similar ideas and thoughts.