curious

The lesson was learned, or should have been, in the late 90s when the Nelson Jockey Club stopped racing and TAB turnover from that region plummeted. A super course much favoured and supported by Canterbury trainers and owners as well as a number of NI ones. It's pretty simple, take racing out of a community and you take the community out of racing. TAB For Ever's negative view of this just does not stack up. Step aside and let those of us with a more positive outlook and constructive approach move forward so we can have racing the way it was meant to be and make it self-sustainable again rather than living on the dole. My one year old granddaughter is already riding finishes on her rocking horse. Don't tell me kids can't become interested in or excited by racing because of other distractions.

We did the beach, waterskiing ,music festivals, concerts, other sport etc. too, as age appropriate but this started well before most of that. And there was no long drive. The racecourse was next door! We were there for pony club on Sundays as well.

Those are the sort of race days that I remember as a kid, maybe not with Tauherenikau numbers, but that's what got me hooked both as a punter and for a career path.

REVOLT (M Hashizume) - Began awkwardly. Rider became unbalanced and was dislodged near the 50 metres after losing the use of his outside iron. Stewards, after examining M Hashizume’s saddle, were satisfied the irons were in a satisfactory condition. After being examined by St John paramedics M Hashizume was cleared to ride.

Certainly one of the meetings I avoid these days, though I have free entry, even if I have a horse running.

Winger, it's because the weights were declared by the handicapper on the 15th February. They are not based on current ratings, so unless the horse is subject to re-handicapping, those weights stand.

Looked like a leather broke or his foot slipped out of the iron. Was going to win too!

It's a handicap. BALLOTING CONDITIONS The following horses, if entered for the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup, will be exempt from the ballot. a) Horses placed first, second and third in the 2024 QUEEN ELIZABETH II CUP. b) The winner of the 2023 Dunstan Feeds Stayers Championship Final, at Pukekohe on 26 December . c) The winner of the Avondale Cup, if entered, is not subject to a re-handicap for the Auckland Cup. d) The winner of the Nathan’s Memorial, The winner of this race if entered will not be re handicapped for the Auckland Cup . Once entered for the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup, horses remain in the race till they are withdrawn. NB: Owners will be liable for fees which become due if horses are not withdrawn.

Fake or not, what is the news about injuries? Do we have any data on that yet?

It's bizarre isn't it? They don't get near enough entries to run them there this week so they programme them again in a fortnight.

Decent money but there won't be a full field there. 8 noms in the open.

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ http://i1.cmail20.com/ei/y/3E/323/652/060127/csfinal/CorporateEmail-banner-9900000000079e3c.png RACE Trentham Track Update Following the 27 January partial abandonment at RACE Trentham when horses slipped on an area of unirrigated ground wide on the track, the venue's irrigation system was reviewed and additional steps were taken to produce wider coverage on the outside of the home turn. Following the solution being implemented, it has been extensively utilised to irrigate the area of concern wide on the course proper. The irrigation, combined with recent verti-drain use has resulted in more consistency between the inside and outside areas of the track. Representatives from the Racing Integrity Board, RACE Inc. and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing inspected the racing surface on Monday 4 March, with core samples, drone photo comparisons and a track gallop used to test the surface ahead of the 9 March race meeting. Post-inspection, all parties were confident with the consistency and safety at RACE Trentham. As such, Wellington Racing Club's meeting at Trentham will take place this Saturday, as scheduled.

Are you saying that it's not being handled correctly?

Agree about their value in winter but I don't see the point scheduling trials on them while there is no racing on them.

https://loveracing.nz/News/44430/GoRacinghelpingkidsStandTallwithAnnarehab.aspx

Possibly because of a lack of confidence in the safety of the track?

I'd say 18 months for that if they don't take any shortcuts like Ellerslie did. But what tracks are left in the bay to accommodate the racing in the interim?

I thought Cameron George said they didn't have the money nor available tracks to fully renovate any more at the moment? Does the board not talk to senior management?

I don't know really. They used to be. Certainly in the track inspections. Freda will know what is usual.

Following a shower of rain which occurred after the running of Race 4, a delegation of Riders approached Stewards regarding a potential safety concern with moisture on what they considered to be a firm racing surface. A track inspection was undertaken involving Jockeys, Stewards and the Track Manager. Following this inspection a meeting was convened involving Stewards, Jockeys and Club representatives. Whilst this meeting was in progress further heavy rain commenced to fall, with the remainder of the meeting being abandoned due to safety concerns.

To quote one of NZ's best trainers "You couldn't make this up". Meeting News Hawke's Bay RI Races 5-8 Abandoned Races 5 - 8 at Hastings today have been abandoned due to the state of the track. NZTR will look to find a suitable replacement date for the Gr2 Lowland Stakes and the 3yo SW+P 1300m races lost as a result of the abandonment.

Only thing I disagree with is the "slowly".

That probably should have said per 1000 race starts.

Per race start. https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/275280/equine-injury-numbers-point-to-near-record-safe-year

By track surface Dirt: 1.43 Turf: 1.13 Synthetic: 0.97