Reefton

Anyway the party will go on regardless and even if they cancel after one race the on course turnover(inter track) will still be higher than anything else in the NZ for the year to date(except maybe Railway Day)

41 minutes ago, Joe Bloggs said:

That behemoth, Leviathan bookmaker Brokelads has just opened a market on how many races Kumara will run before abandonment, evens 1, 2-1 = 2 ...........get on, I bet the stipes will lock themselves in their room if this happens, the natives are restless fellas.....we could have another Jan 6th, the great insurrection?........you think?

settle down

2 hours ago, curious said:

Has he? Any report from whomever rode the gallops this morning?

Jeff said all happy but I think most of the senior riders were back in Chch

If there is an issue it will be on the bend out of the back straight.  They renovated it to that point two plus years ago and there was an issue with the footing changing at that point at the 2021 meeting(which was a rain affected day as today will be).  It may have resolved itself with time - here's hoping

If this goes it will be a total disaster and curtains for the entire Coast racing.  Kumara has Committee numbers and enthusiasm issues Greymouth has major bridge issues and we have a President who is quite adamant he is getting out(with nobody as a likely successor).  35 years of services in multiple roles is enough for me

I have not always been a Kumara fan but I am fingers crossed for the boys today.

1 hour ago, Freda said:

Yes.  He has.

But it is not his call.

Correct of course. But the bloke who's call it is has walked it too

8 hours ago, Michael said:

Excuse my ignorance as if a pacer loses a shoe we usually just take the other one off as well

This Report says it lost the right hind plate but slipped on the left hind

Am I missing something?

Condolences Brian, given the work that goes in to a raceday I know it's gutting

Mike

Thanks for that but it's life I suppose. Bit annoying however.

8 hours ago, curious said:

Pray you are right. Has the secretary walked the track then?

I'm sure he has.  And horses galloped on it as well

31 minutes ago, curious said:

Hope you are right. First hand reports say very slippery and probably un-raceable unless they get much more than the forecast shower or two overnight. . Have you walked the track?

No I haven't but have been in constant contact with the Secretary all day(given the fall out from our debacle).  He is an ex-stipe of considerable experience and says it is still all go

God forbid this one falls as well.  It really will be the death knell of West Coast racing

Rubbish

Still 100% on at this stage

7 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

That view is gaining currency and doing the rounds.  Who put pressure on and why?

The Secretary told me the riders were asked into the stipes room three times before the first.  I saw once but was busy.  Who would you conclude exerted pressure?

8 hours ago, curious said:

Was probably out there the day before coaching apprentices how to ride it.

Mouse used to but David Walsh does now.  That happened yesterday.  David Walsh had no issues insofar as I know

16 hours ago, Reefton said:

Not me nor any other club official.  But then again not many Clubs have a bloke like Mouse McCann who knows every South Island track like the back of his hand. Then there was Max Skelton in close vicinity who knows a bit as well

Jimmy Walker and David Wash were both there too.  One or two wins among that lot!

6 hours ago, curious said:

Are you saying that Mouse and Max were pro the abandonment?

No not at all.  Ludwig asked who made the call on the abandonment.  The Stipes did but my point was in our case the committee were entitled to a part in the decision due to having an extremely experienced former Jockey involved.  When they called us in to break the bad news I asked Mouse to come with me and he told them the call was wrong.  At that stage the meeting had not been abandoned officially.  His view was dismissed.

8 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

This will be interesting.

It was

1 minute ago, curious said:

Two separate issues in a way and nothing to do with an assessment that the track was unsafe but I fail to see how a horse with a missing plate was noted at the plate inspection and allowed to race without being sent back to either be re-plated or have the other plate removed and get stewards' permission to race without them. Never seen that allowed anywhere in the world and a very dangerous precedent set in my view.

Doubly so when two days previous a shoe loss caused a fall on the other very tight West Coast track (Omoto).  Hard to believe 

14 minutes ago, Ludwig said:

So who was pulling the strings to ensure the meeting was called off?

Not me nor any other club official.  But then again not many Clubs have a bloke like Mouse McCann who knows every South Island track like the back of his hand. Then there was Max Skelton in close vicinity who knows a bit as well

26 minutes ago, curious said:

Even then, why would you bother trying to hold it?

Probably because I am an eternal optimist.  I'm not really in fact I am one of the most negative pricks God ever put breath into but, like a lot of racing people, I always think I will win next time! 

14 minutes ago, curious said:

It's essentially the jockeys' call. Are you saying that was over-ridden? It's not taken lightly. Many have traveled and they lose a day's income though safety is of course paramount.

 

Fair comment but pretty clear there was a lot of pressure put on riders prior to race one and subsequent.  More on that later

20 minutes ago, curious said:

Even then, why would you bother trying to hold it?

Fair comment

1 hour ago, Shad said:

Haven't seen a plate inspector actually lift a horses foot and check plates, I'm sure this used to done many years ago, must be hard to check all four on a walk through, or is there something else they go by.

The plate inspector definitely noted the lack of a shoe.  My mates were checking brands and told me so.

1 hour ago, curious said:

Nothing from the stewards on that attempted movement into another horse's line either. Were they watching a different race or just in a hurry to get home?

More experienced judges than I concurred with that statement

1 hour ago, Shad said:

Guess it will all come out, but I thought the track was in very good order, and i agree with what you say, and yet greymouth continued and apparently that was a plate issue, really feel for the club, should a horse start with out a plate or be scratched, that's  beyond me

I think Curious' quote of the rule covers that

1 hour ago, Brian Nally said:

I feel for the club. This is was my first trip down for the circuit and the hospitality shown by all has been well worth it. I have witnessed the drama of lost plates first hand with Kopua on Tuesday and today of course. IMO the track was fine and certainly was inspected before the race by several officials. I certainly am no expert on such matters, however my charge in the race today didn't have any problems navigating the bends. However as highlighted safety first is non negotiable and it was very scary when Lily came off on Kopua. Unfortunately no one is a winner with this outcome today. 

Thanks for the kind words Brian.  Wish I had caught up.

2 hours ago, billy connolly said:

Reefton, Moseley caused his own mount to lose its footing by trying to barge out on the point of the home turn but the horse on his outside (light green colours) was going just as well and held its ground so Moseley had to revert back to the inside.

No mention in Stewards report but I note that Miss Veronica Algar was the chair of Stewards so not surprised.

 

More on that later

3 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Seems the only horse affected by the barging was the horse that barged and won.

I've heard they had doubts about the track BEFORE race 1 and it was inspected.  

Subsequent to race 1 the track was inspected again.  Who was involved in the decision?  RIB, Jockeys, Trainers and Club officials?

Before the decision was made the Club President was asked for his comment and (as I always will) I said if there is a safety issue there is no option.  However subsequent information has thrown new light on the subject.

4 hours ago, Tesio said:

Given there was concerns with the track before race 1 (they had a inspection and meeting before the 1st race) surely allowing a horse to step on the track without all 4 plates should have been a big no no regardless.

Correct about the inspection.