curious

You mean an 1 1/2, hardly a lot of rain. More than that would be common for most West Coast meetings. I didn't see it but what did Kate say, that told you that?

She's a woman of few words, but what you get is gold:)

34mms S6?

If they just get 50-60mms over two days and can't race, that would surely suggest they wasted a lot of money on that track/

Soft 5 with a 24% moisture reading? Drainage might get a good test if they get the forecast 50mms in the next couple of days?

Might run up to their established ability again but rarely improve on that imo.

That's certainly not my experience and I've been an owner for 50+ years.

Are you suggesting that might be because they have access to a course proper grass gallop most of the time?

Who is it again?

Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Matamata, Te Aroha. I think there's more from the Waikato than there are from Foxton. Insane state of affairs but its either that or a quiet run in an unsuitable race if there even is one of those.

With NZTR awaiting release shortly as I understand it.

And it lost 6 points as a result. I don't think the number of runners in a race has or should have anything to do with a handicapper's evaluation of the performance.

Are those times calculated from the margins?

Yes. I watched the race and backed the eventual winner @ $18. Didn't realise until I next checked my TAB account and wondered where the money came from. 'Twas a good thing too. My only winner all day! Definitely a caller error though.

Assuming they've got the grass sorted, I wonder if they will now fix/re-surface the synthetic?

There were 6 horses in it last year rated 90+ and another 6 rated 80-90.

Yes, as do NI trainers who will have horses at Riccarton for Cup week.

Yes. And it might have been Mike's wish. Who knows?

Yet, increasing revenue is in there, and increasing average field size and starter numbers are KPIs towards that end. How they can not realise that programming and handicapping are key to that is beyond me.

Yes, yes and yes!

Similar base, drainage and sand growing profile I think. Just without the fibre elements in it. Haven't seen any detail of that. At one stage they said they were trying to replicate the natural surface at Foxton.

Where did you get that idea? Neither are mentioned in the current SoI, aside from programming in the business as usual list.

Probably. Along with the NZ Cup?

Moroney's Ballymore to shut down Andrew Eddy @fastisheddy 5:08pm A A A Mike Moroney (Image: Racing Photos) Lindsay Park will take over the training operation of the late champion horseman Mike Moroney. Moroney's partner Karen released a statement to owners on Thursday night announcing that the brothers Ben, Will and JD Hayes will be taking over his Flemington operation into the future. Long-time racing manager Anthony Feroce will shift to work for Lindsay Park, while current trainer and Moroney's former partner Glen Thompson will depart to pursue other opportunities after also being offered the chance to join the team. Moroney passed away in his sleep in February, while Thompson and Feroce had been leading the operation since his sudden death. "It has been a difficult couple of months for me as I am sure you can imagine," Karen said in the letter sent to owners. "Michael entrusted me to make the necessary decisions about the future of Ballymore and after much thought and careful consideration, I have now made the decision I think best reflects what Mike would have wanted. "In what I feel is in the best interests of our owners, our horses and our staff, I have asked Lindsay Park to take over our Flemington operation going forward. "Mike always held Ben, Will and JD Hayes in the very highest regards and I know their professionalism and enthusiastic approach will make the transition as seamless for you as possible. "I really believe this is a positive move for you and will give you and your horses the best chance of further success on the racetrack. "I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for being a part of Ballymore and for all the loyal support we have received from so many of you over the years. "It is the end of an era in life and racing, but I am hopeful that Mike's legacy will live on, and I know the Ballymore name will forever hold an important place in the hearts of the people who make up our industry." Moroney fell ill in April last year and was admitted to hospital. Despite making a return to trackwork and to the races, he died in his sleep in February. Moroney famously moved to the Chicquita Lodge stables at Flemington following his Melbourne Cup success with Brew in 2000, with the majority of his 55 career Group 1s coming out of the historic stables.

Don't think tracks are over-watered generally. Erratically or inappropriately maybe but that is largely due to antiquated irrigation systems and stuffed soil structures. I think tracks have sometimes been under-watered in recent years. Also, not sure what you mean by mandated by HO? The NZTR mandate is to produce a GOOD track for the majority of the meeting but avoid a GOOD2. That seems essential for horse and rider welfare doesn't it? The actual watering to achieve that is up to the clubs and track managers as far as I know.