Freda

Clover in the sward is not ideal!

Im no expert so I can't comment about that. But the Coast examples were simply bad practice. There was nothing wrong with either track from a safety perspective. They just looked rough with the rushes and native weed through the surface. But always safe.

Yes, that's right, I recall a helicopter brought in to try and dry the track! No problems, as you say, before being 'upgraded'. But, I was referring to Greymouth, which, with the sowing of grass from out of the area, ended up with clover all through it, with predictable results.

This goes back several decades, Chief. Its not recent. Look back at renovation of Greymouth. Canterbury grass sown under advice from the CJC track manager, Max Skelton ( for one) sustained severe injuries when his horse slipped over. Gore redone, horses fell over, Terry Moseley slipped twice at the same place on the same day! Rangiora renovated. That disaster has been discussed at great length, hasn't raced since. Riccarton itself, remodelled, although it is still operational the surface has been criticized ever since. It gets away with less than perfect because it is a large circuit with sweeping turns. You'll sneer and say I'm dredging up ancient history. But the facts are there, NZ racing has a history of botching renovation. The only saviour has been the variety of tracks still left to take up dates. Now that the brains trust has seen fit to mothball so many, the flaws inherent in the 'preferred ' tracks are there for all to see. Liam O'Keefe seems to be a very valuable adviser. We are lucky to be able to call on his expertise. But whether he has the time - or inclination - to continue in that capacity may be dubious.

Dont be a prat. Im nowhere near as critical as I could be, generally, and I do try not to be nasty or abusive. Poor form IMO.

Dont wish to be rude on a public forum. ( Not a reflection on the people concerned, either in a personal or professional way, I want to be clear on that.)

Yes.

Both!!!

Luckily it stopped a couple of hours after the last. Not opposed to entertainment, music, etc , good concept as alluded to above....but had visions of the noise carrying on for a lot longer. Thinking of the horses stabled very close by too. Wish I'd been out with the hose when a woman fell off her heels and then threw up over my fence.

Horrendous noise.

Yeah, sadly - and stupidly - we have stepped away from what we used to do well and have spent a decade or more trying to focus on an earlier- developing horse, something the Aussies do better than anyone else. And have lost our way as a result. I see some hope with the likes of Auguste Rodin now standing here...there just needs to be opportunity and sensible programming to allow development of staying types. Pigs might fly too.

Dont think S.A needs any advice on that score. I recall the morning when Mr Gould went around the course proper on his hunter, jumped some fences too as I remember. For all the angst that caused among trainers, at least silver spooners like the Goulds and their ilk - Hutton, Montgomery, Rutherford, Greenwood - were farmers. Privileged, yes, but had an understanding of stock, land, and did at least race and breed a horse or two. Richard Rutherford still doing so in a significant manner I believe. Not like the current incumbents, most of whom have no familiarity at all with the very animals and people they administer.

As did Roger Findlay - both highly motivated men with entrepreneurial skills. What a loss.

Was the Hotham Hcp. Moved and name changed. McKinnon moved too but I quite like that change.

Not at all familiar with Otaki, or for that matter other CD tracks. Have raced at Foxton once which I thought presented excellent going. But, to add to Chief's observations that clubs are largely to blame for overlooking track maintenance in years past: Yes, that certainly is a valid point. However, with insidious changes in TAB funding distribution creeping in, country/ provincial clubs were progressively deprived of money, money that formerly was distributed in line with what had been earned on their respective meetings. The bigger clubs were considered more 'deserving ' of funds and the smaller ones, squeezed to the point where there was not only no money for improvements, there was little incentive also. Roll forward and we have older volunteers struggling to keep their clubs relevant. Hardly a surprise to see how things have turned out.

Agree with Gai also. Not to say that those wanting a distance reduction don't have a point. I read a very eloquently written piece some time ago arguing that the 'early' position of the Derby here, on Boxing day, was what made it the arbiter of 3 year old quality. We all know that 3 year olds will be more mature later on, he said, but to have a youngster able to perform at that distance relatively early on marks the quality of the animal ( not to mention its trainer! ) Gai's point about not developing slayers any more is very telling...and don't forget that Europeans test their youngsters much more than we do. Also the Japanese. 2000m races for 2 year olds as well. And...the NZ Derby/Oaks used to be run here, at Riccarton, Cup time. Although the Grt Northern and Wellington Derbies came along later in the season, those early contenders were classy indeed, and were often the leading 3 yr olds.

And that's exactly why the holus-bolus race to 'rationalise ' tracks and shut down some without upgrading others was ill conceived. Chief is right inasmuch as appropriate maintenance didn't happen as it should have...but Huey's point is also right. Spread the load and many issues are avoided.

I know Dave Kerr was very explicit with instructions re. whip use. Mind you, in those days there was a lot of rider choice.! He used my apprentice Andre Gillett and the boy was always told very firmly not to hit his mount. He also patronized Damian Browne wherever possible because ' he was kind '. My partner, R.J.( Mouse ) McCann was told by his boss, Ned Thistoll, that the whip was for saluting the judge. There were enlightened people even back then - and further - in the remarkable Golden Souvenir - Soneri match race neither of those superb riders went for the stick. Bill Broughton and Jim Ellis...I think..Doomed will correct me I'm sure if I have that wrong.

Same! don't have any preconceived ideas, but it will be a great watch. Just shows it's all about the horse. Shame for the Caulfield Cup though.

Yes, unfortunately. It's a lesser of evils really.

No.

There are a lot of horses based there, and the facilities are acknowledged to be excellent....so presumably the scope and options are satisfactory.

Haven't been there for a good while but yes, as I remember that's quite right.

Cheap shot? How? That just confirms that those particular horses are not trained here, but elsewhere.