curious

Why would they build a brand new full width grass track rather than fix the existing one? I'm not clear what NZTR has to do with it other than supporting the allocation of race (and trial) dates? As far as the CJC is concerned, how come detailed plans have not been circulated to members? After all they could veto the project and expenditure at a GM.

Agree but where the hell is the business case? Surely if a sound one were put in front of stakeholders, most would support them?

I've seen and ridden on both. I'd be keen on either here if they were financially justifiable. Technology has no doubt improved but I'm skeptical about the kick back claims. That's not what is being reported from Oz. It is critical that the surface is appropriately adjusted and maintained for the climatic conditions of the installation.

On the Tapeta topic from the same article: Polytrack is the most popular choice of surfaces for all weather tracks in the UK. Most trainers prefer Polytrack over everything else because it is the fairest surface for horses to race on. It’s a fast surface, with little jar and basically no kickback. Horses can enjoy their racing and because it quickly regains it’s shape after being racing on that means there’s less stress on tendons. Tapeta is very similar to Polytrack. There’s almost no kickback and they say that it’s more versatile than Polytrack. It’s a very fair surface to race, and would be quite similar to Good on a turf track – as similar as all weather could be anyway!

I've worked for Michael and am sure he would have been happy to discuss the Tapeta option for here. Hopefully that was done in the due diligence on this.

Doubt they'll be back for quite some time.

You'd assume that would have happened at some stage during the day, perhaps after some rehydration?

Interesting this has finally resurfaced despite no reply from BS when I requested it a few months back. https://loveracing.nz/OnHorseFiles/ARREARS LIST - 23 SEPTEMBER 2020.pdf

It's just arse backwards process wise. The Members' Council appoints and performance manages the NZTR board. Then you have the NZTR board effectively declaring the election of the Members' Council members that appoint them. The constitution is clear that only the AGM can do that. That's aside from the fact that the notice is dated a month before the nominations closed!

Yeahh I watched the Matamata one blowing away a couple of months ago until they got enough water on it to hold it down and that was mid-winter. I think we took half of it home in the car.

Yes, it's probably a moot point as far as that is concerned.

It's bizarre. It's not up to NZTR to declare them re-elected, it's up to the member clubs at the AGM isn't it?

It appears to me that they can only be declared re-elected at the AGM. (d) At each Annual General Meeting:(i) One(1) Regional Member from each Region shall retire from the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting, but will be eligible for re-election at that Annual General Meeting in accordance with,and subject to, clause [10.4(b)]

21 August 2020 NZTR CIRCULAR 2019/20 – No.10 TO EACH TOTALISATOR CLUB AND SECTOR ORGANISATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND CALL FOR NOMINATIONS NZTR gives notice that the 2020 Annual General Meeting of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) is intended to be held on 17 November 2020 in Wellington. NZTR will consider, closer to November, how the AGM will be conducted, depending on COVID-19 alert levels and Government guidance at that time. Appointment of NZTR Members Council New and reappointed members of the Members Council will commence their terms at the AGM. The powers and duties of the Members’ Council are to: 1. select and appoint the Directors of NZTR; 2. recommend to clubs at the NZTR AGM the level of remuneration for NZTR Directors; 3. appraise the performance of the NZTR Board annually; and 4. remove any NZTR Director for specific reasons set out under clause 11 (c) in the NZTR Constitution In accordance with the NZTR Constitution, the following three Regional Members retire by rotation at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting to be held on 17 November 2020 in Wellington. 1. Karyn Fenton-Ellis (Northern Region) 2. Paul Humphries (Central Region) 3. Howard Clarke (Southern Region) All are eligible for re-election. The Sector Member retiring by rotation is Mr John Thompson (NZTBA), who is eligible for reappointment. Mr Thompson was appointed to fill the casual vacancy arising from the resignation of Mr Fokerd. NZTR has received the following nominations: 1. Karyn Fenton-Ellis (Northern Region) 2. Paul Humphries (Central Region) 3. Howard Clarke (Southern Region) As there is only one nomination for each region an election is not required. Ms Karyn Fenton-Ellis, Mr Humphries and Mr Clarke are therefore declared elected. The NZTBA has advised NZTR that it has reappointed Mr John Thompson to the Members Council. Issued by the Office of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing 106-110 Jackson Street, Petone, Wellington 5012 Tel: +64 4 576 6240, Fax: +64 4 568 8866 office@nzracing.co.nz How can they be declared re-elected when they don't retire till the 17th November and why is the notice backdated a month to August 21?

I wonder what the joint issues are. It's seems odd that they took him back over if the earlier joint bruising was not fully resolved.

More than a rumour. https://www.punters.com.au/news/no-golden-eagle-for-catalyst-_193178/

How much of a kickback do you have to pay for one of these consultancy contracts? I'm interested.

I'm keen if they drop one in 20 minutes away at Awapuni. Just need answers to serious questions about practicality and financial viability.

The whole thing is just not that simple and very variable by climate. While the safety record of synthetic surfaces was strong, not all of its other claims proved true. Horsemen have complained that they saw an increase in other non-fatal injuries. Maintenance of the tracks — billed as one of its greatest cost saving features — proved to be more complicated than thought and varied greatly by climate.

Yes it is dirt now.

It’s key to keep the cushion moist with regular rounds from a watering truck (Santa Anita uses up to 100,000 gallons a day) and, on the flip side, to ease off watering if the skies open up. If it’s too dry, the cushion comes up in a cloud of dust and delivers an unfavorable shock to the leg. Too wet and it’s sticky, slow, straining.

Yep. I'm picking if they put one in at Riccarton and don't irrigate, you'll have to scrape the bits of carpet off the doors of the Racecourse pub to get in for your friday night beer after a decent norwester.

You may have been told that but by whom? Those promoting the AWT idea? All I'm saying is that someone needs to do some serious homework here. I'm just reporting what I've learned from the likes of the Del Mar experience. I've already posted a report on the Pakenham situation. "The prominent issue is the lack of moisture in the Polytrack, which is a consequence of a lack of rain and we will be addressing that as soon as possible with a likely strategy being irrigation. Brian de Lore's article above also points out that annual rainfall is close to 50" at Cambridge and closer to 20" at Riccarton. Very different beasts. As JB points out it would be good to talk to the folk at Geelong and Toowoomba as well. Hopefully the likes of the CJC, TA, OF and others will talk to some of these people with polytrack experience and get back to current stakeholders and prospective stakeholders in Canterbury racing with some accurate data and analysis sooner rather than later.