Freda

Ashburton did push back. Refused to hold the latest set of grass trials because the track wasn't up to it.

That was going to be my next query. Ellerslie has a lake in the middle. How is Awapuni going to maintain/manage the amount of water seemingly needed for this sandpit?

So, of the 51 racetracks used in 2006, how many are still in use now? Again, I can only refer to local conditions not NZ wide, but in Canterbury/Marlborough alone, there are races formerly held at Riccarton, Motukarara, Rangiora, Ashburton, Timaru, Geraldine, Waimate and Blenheim; now nearly all being held at Riccarton and Ashburton - with a nod to Timaru. Ashburton has to hold trials too, whereas earlier, Rangiora, Motukarara and Geraldine chipped in and did their bit. So I think it is fair to say yes, tracks are getting hammered.

Spot on.

We'd all like to find a scapegoat. It's easier, and much more satisfying than dealing with nameless, faceless organisations or committees. But it is right, in a manner of speaking, that we all stand accountable for the current state of affairs to some degree. I can only refer to local events, but probably they have been replicated country-wide to some degree. Years ago, Riccarton raced at National time, Cup time, midsummer-meeting [ late Jan/early Feb], Hororata, Easter, then May meeting, then Hunt Club and National again. May meeting held the first steeplechase over a modified course, minus Cutt's Brush. 3 days at each of National, Cup and Easter. In and around all that as supporting acts there was Motukarara, Geraldine, Timaru, West Coast [ twice ] with their four clubs, Westport, Nelson, Blenheim, Amberley [ which moved voluntarily to Rangiora ] and Rangiora itself. So, as mentioned in another post, there was not really any need - and certainly no recognition of that - to renovate tracks. There were plenty to keep everything going and not really any track getting the hammering that happens now. When Rangiora was canned as a racing venue there was a group of stakeholders who did an enormous amount of work fundraising, and even retaining a lawyer to fight the CJC with its takeover design. Zero support from the majority of trainers outside the immediate North Canterbury area though. Trials were retained however and were well run for several years until the push to centralise gained yet more headway with the arrival of the polytracks. They have suffered significant bad press, some deserved with maintenance issues which, hopefully, have been addressed now. But internationally, alternative surfaced tracks have been in use for 30-odd years or more. Improving all the time, but certainly not a new concept. But many of those most vocally in favour of those AWT's are now yelling from the rooftops about the lack of grass trials. The bad state of many of the favoured tracks could have been foreseen, if the consequences of closing so many had been considered. But it wasn't. Given that prescience is a gift most of us don't have, it is pointless pointing the finger. What to do going forward is a more productive use of what talents concerned folk might have. Great to hear that Levin is gearing up for a fight. All power to them. One thing that does stand out though, and most of us here have pointed it out repeatedly, is the bucketloads of moolah thrown at our industries by Entain. Please God, could someone stick a bomb into the Boardroom at NZTR and blow some sense into them? Now that there is, actually, money in hand, direct some of it to infrastructure and not at top end stakes.

The T.A is funded by NZTR. Hardly surprising those few who have independent thought, wish to bite the hand that feeds it. The majority, as alluded to by Wingman, are flat out trying to juggle a lack of track riders, paying bills, and keeping owners happy. Taking a political stance is simply beyond many, time- and resources-wise.

That's all because of the lack of manners inherent these days. At one time, disagreement - or constructive criticism - was NOT synonymous with abuse or nastiness.

Yes. I take each and every opinion on board, be it over track surfaces, horse performance, what the weather might do....but I'm quite capable of analyzing what has been said and filing it for future use. I don't have to rush off and slavishly follow said opinion. Years ago I sat at a meeting where a Turftech representative ( Jim Murphy) was in attendance, along with CJC personnel. The work being undertaken at Rangiora following the accident there was being discussed. Much was made of the grass type being promoted which, according to the meeting Chair, was in use internationally and from Ruakaka to Invercargill. I got a kick under the table. Wouldn't you think grass types would be different depending on climate, etc? hissed the person sitting next to me. I thought so too, but these were experts, so I listened. Messrs Foskett and Murphy had overseen the Rangiora work and given the track a double thumbs up for racing. But NZTR didn't want to know and racing has never returned to that track. Clearly those experts weren't worth listening to. So who are the current experts who are advising our governing body? They must be good.

I had a chat with Matt from Aus, over to groom our polytrack. We talked about Flemington, and - to bear out what you say - the amount spent on that track alone, on an annual basis, is staggering.

Yes. Definitely past their use-by. Even Riccarton is 27 years along its renovation road, well overdue for more treatment it would seem given time-frames considered suitable. Messara [ I hesitate to use his name, he seems to be getting blamed for everything ] maintained there wasn't one track up to standard, and that repairs must be done on the ones considered necessary. He was well aware the bloody outfit was broke, and as Saundry had already put out his ' map' of tracks to be closed, he thought using monies from those discontinued venues might be a way of funding the work. Of course - NZTR knew better, so carried on closing venues and spending little money on renovations.

The slip was obvious and significant. Appalling stuff.

I'd be keen to sign too, if there was a link to do so. It's in the interests of Canterbury folk to get behind Levin, any that don't, well, the writing is on the wall anyway.

Curious will be the one who has access to such information..but I have heard exactly that. I dug up a slow-mo video of a galloping horse and that seemed to be pretty much what happened. Interestingly - in a chat only yesterday with the very helpful and informative man from Aus, over to groom/harrow our polytrack - he also made reference to the need for the hoof to slide, and scoop for safe movement.

Yes, Kate is toughness personified. To be back riding again - especially at the level she is - speaks volumes for her commitment after horrendous injuries, and recently, a devastating personal tragedy. All credit to her. I don't think she would be backing off if she felt there was something she needed to say, so maybe just take it at face value? [ I didn't see her interviewed ]. As for Ellerslie...it has had a very patchy start, but - allowing for that and the dubious decisions causing that - the design is specifically focused on excellent drainage. Look at the jurisdictions Strathayr has performed well in. We would expect it to race fairly notwithstanding heavy rain. And it did, so well done there.

And now a second place in a Pearl Series race...so immediate success and a financial reward for those new owners! Well done to all and especially to the little filly.

Yeah, Blenheim filled a spot that is missed. Hierarchy just has no idea how things used to roll and why they were successful in the overall scheme of things. What a loss is the Gisborne/Wairoa circuit.

typo - pollyanna

You've just answered your own question.

I think that is very likely.

I heard Lance O'Sullivan say in an interview, that if he was starting a riding career now, he wouldn't be staying here. That is sad, and a very telling comment for our resident Pollyanns to think about.

Only thing, Huey, the favored clubs have been helped by NZTR for years, at the expense of many provincial/country clubs. Even Greymouth ( deemed the 'principal' club in the region) got a new stand - dubbed ' the most expensive yacht club on the Coast' by a local wit. Referring to the regular inundation by the Grey river experienced in the region.

Yes. There are likely many now having 'quiet' runs at the races. Same situation as when 'free' starts were introduced and trials fees were hiked to encourage ( force ) horses to the races to increase betting turnover. The likelihood of horses having training or educational runs and therefore being unsuitable betting propositions clearly escaped management. As an aside, it hasn't escaped notice how well North Canterbury and Timaru trainers are performing, given relative numbers in training.

It's such a shame that our world class athletes, both human and equine, have to head overseas to realise their goals.

Is the technology for accurate - and quickly available - timing very expensive?

Would they care? Or even realise? Doesn't NZ Racing end somewhere around Taupo? And they will be doing their damndest to get the Guineas north. That part I find hard to argue with however.