Over watered tracks

[Wingman]

The track on Cup day at Trentham, unlike last year, was not softened by nature but too much irrigation. The indentations down the Shute during race 2 gave a very clear visual of what was to unfold. It was not the very light drizzle and one brief strong shower that stuffed the surface but a zealotry  desire to  always have  tracks with give in it. Summer racing particularly in January/February should be, (weather permitting) on firm/fast ground. Many of the tracks in NZ are in poor condition. Some are being upgraded, Awapuni  currently and hopefully Trentham to follow. What use will that be however if an excessive watering mandate persists. Serious bettors will continue to leave the industry or like me, at best reduce their involvement due to a lack of trust (in the tracks). That lack of trust goes right to the sprinkling of the matter. We do not believe the reporting, of what amount the irrigation was and when it was applied.

This regrettably is not a modern day issue. Over 30 years ago as a young owner in my early thirties I was walking towards the stabling area at Awapuni. The good old days when you could go and see your horse some time after it had done its best for you. Coming the other way was a top class trainer who was wrapped up in his own world muttering to himself. Actually he was exasperated and was using words to the effect of "Why can they not leave nature to dictate the track conditions?" He was Noel Eales.

[Chief Stipe]

This topic has been debated for a decade now.  The issue is as simplistic as you suggest.  The reality is the Trentham turf is stuffed and has been for 20 years.

It isn't about over watering it is about inconsistent irrigation when required.  What happens to your lawn if you don't water it during a drought?  It might green up again in the autumn but it will be weedy and patchy.

You can't neglect turf for 20+ years and expect to be able to manage it properly.

Sure it might have worked 25 years ago but what happened to renovate and maintain these tracks since?  SFA!  We are now reaping what we have sown or haven't sown.  FFS the maintenance done on Flemington every year far surpasses anything we have done for the entire last two decades!  Let alone the major work they do every 3-4 years!

[Special Agent]

Maybe some of the money put into novelty races could go into track renovations.  I don't undetstand why it is not obvious that if the track surfaces were in tip top condition and all of the horse facilities were decent field sizes and the quality of racing would magically improve.