curious

I think there were several things wrong at Awapuni. You could see it cutting out and clods flying back going down the back straight. That shouldn't be happening on a G4. It seemed an impossible task last spring to have it ready for autumn racing and it should have had and still should, another 6 months of root development before it is raced on. They've used a part of the track that has had no traffic and been untested at racing speeds. It probably does need more water as Kate said. It took Ellerslie a year to figure that out to stop a very similar sand based track from becoming slippery. That they then put out a patronising news release, taking no responsibility but blaming the "expert advisors", and then say their solution is to do more of the same i.e., follow their further advice, beggars belief.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59a49f93c027d87e465dfb38/t/680a271b9982c4469f5e0da3/1745495849728/Levin+track+'vital+for+safe+preparation'.pdf

To quote the former CEO at a road show "any pot of gold we can find".

Yes. Awapuni a good example. Not till they tore it up did they realise that the drains weren't working.

Nope, nothing to do with NZ racing which is poorly managed and in a disastrous and declining state. It was inspired by horses, people and personal challenge. Go back and read that story again if you found it so meaningful. Cry as much as you like. The only dream that remains for me is to support the welfare of horses and humans involved however I can.

Why do you see that as a negative? I'm offended.

24 heats, 143 horses there today. Where are they going to hold those events? Foxton is already loaded with their trial meetings. Surely not the Awapuni synthetic? We can see today what trainers might think of that idea.

Messara clearly said "Throughout this period, we assume that Foxton, Levin and Opaki continue as training only venues." Who on earth made that decision to the contrary? I've seen nothing about it before.

That's ridiculous but they are obviously getting desperate. Is their a link to sign that petition?

Weird!

Two different communiques?

Meeting News Riccarton Park Synthetic Trials Cancelled Unfortunately, we have not had enough entries for Trials on Wednesday. Thank you for your co-operation as we tried to get these off the ground.

21 noms, so far?

That would be a little unfair since Special Agent never mentioned the word which possibly explains her puzzlement with NZTAB's remark.

Have they deleted this message from the website? I can't seem to find it any more, though I still have the condescending, patronizing email.

I notice this posted just now on another channel which is consistent with JMO's perspective.

Well, regardless whether or not it was a good idea to add it, it surely needed 12-18 months for it to infiltrate and be bound by the root structure before it was raced on again. You get what you pay for I guess. Jockeys need windshields and wipers, but the poor horses are stuck with what they get chucked at them.

What club was that?

Can someone remind me how many tons of sand they put on it in the process of remedying the slipping issues? Looks like JMO's horse removed a bit but reports from jockeys and other connections suggest it wasn't the only only one.

There is plenty of literature related to galloping action and the importance of shear for both safety and performance. That's exactly one of the things that the Ky team engaged to assess our synthetics have developed specialty gear to measure and supposedly what they used here. I'm looking forward to seeing the report on that. It would seem relatively simple to get that testing done at Ellerslie to assess its shear related safety in various conditions.

That may well be, as you suggest, partly due to the aeration and irrigation protocols that they have had to put in place due to the risk of it becoming slippery. Do you think that the sand kick back might also be a factor that is making it challenging for the back runners?

Why didn't they just say this the first time rather than take pot shots at the industry's hard working horse persons? Good Morning Riccarton Synthetic Trials Wednesday Trial entries for the Synthetic Trials close with the Bureau at 12 noon Tuesday 22 April. At that point it will be decided whether to proceed depending on numbers. Kind Regards Matt Ivil Racing Coordinator New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing p: +64 4 576 6241, f: +64 4 568 8866 a: 18 Dick St, Cambridge, 3432 LOVERACING.NZ

Did the stipes see those blinkers JMO? I'd wonder how they could deem the track safe for racing, let alone fair, if the kickback was that bad.

Agree Jess. A totally unnecessary and inappropriate snipe at trainers and connections for being sensible and looking after the welfare of their horses. Shame on NZTR for publishing that.

Really? Do they think that trialling on synthetic is a good way to condition horses for grass racing? Especially for horses that have never even galloped on one? No clue where they get that idea. Sounds like a good recipe for injury to me.