curious

Nice ride by Donnie once he dropped his stick at the 600. He can do it without it. https://loveracing.nz/Common/SystemTemplates/Modal/Video.aspx?v=http%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202602%2fM6_STHL_R08_140226.mp4&i=%2fCommon%2fImage.ashx%3fw%3d565%26h%3d314%26a%3d1%26o%3d1%26z%3d1%26bg%3deeeeee%26p%3dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202602%2fM6_STHL_R08_140226.jpg&r=Race 8 - ILT ASCOT PARK HOTEL SOUTHLAND GUINEAS&rs=1

Me too alongside what I saw of the work in progress.

They can, but that hasn't proved very reliable before, and galloping, jump outs and trials, do not fully approximate horses under pressure at racing speeds.

I've heard of turf responding to aeration but not to compaction damage. And then almost no growth period recovery time before more significant racing? Seems hasty to me. I'd at least give it the full spring for root development and test it for racing in the summer.

Totally. Good system I think but if it were me, I'd be giving the relaid 50mm turf at least the winter and spring for root development for it to bind with and secure the underlying soil.

Oh dear. They've done great work there and seemingly well on budget, but are they rushing back yet again?

Certainly wont be many if there's no races for them.

Yes indeed but it's hard to get the same response for a ratings horse going round for 2 months with no suitable races.

This is just another example of the total mess that the programming is. How on earth could they only just 'identify' the issue?

No answer? I still can't find anything official.

No official confirmation has there, though I may have missed it? Yes, where did you see that or is it gossip?

Colgan & Weatherley

Another two licence holders reported with drug positives but that also seem to have evaporated with no official confirmation even though again, the subjects themselves allegedly confirm it. How can this be?

There were only 6 races last year weren't there? Cf. 9 in 2026. So slightly smaller this year?

It's interesting if you look at the Ellerslie figures above, turnover is well up but turnover per starter well down. Oncourse also down. Not sure what to make of that.