Freda Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 On 15/02/2024 at 11:21 AM, curious said: Doesn't seem like it. The grass track issue was eloquently raised with Balcombe yesterday particularly wrt to the use of Rangiora and Motukarara for that, especially given they are within a 30 min drive of the bulk of Canterbury horses in training. He said he wasn't aware of the history of that etc. and would have to investigate further and get back. Didn't seem to be aware it was an issue. That, to me, illustrates some of the issues creating misunderstanding, and - to many of us - silly decisions. The case for using grass tracks close by, for trials, former racetracks, was well put indeed. The CEO and COO both seems decent blokes and very approachable, but - as indicated - Balcombe wasn't aware of the history around those venues. One would think an incumbent office-holder would be well enough informed on this sort of thing. To his credit he apologised for his lack of knowledge about this, and also, for an apparent oversight in returning communication. I've always found both of these men very good in that respect, a huge improvement from previous incumbents. It would involve very little extra effort or cost to reinstate Rangiora for trials use over the summer months. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 Rangiora and Motukarara already have the "infrastructure" and would only take a minimal amount of money to get track surfaces up to an acceptable level, compared to what has already been spent on the all weather surface. In the northern region trainers are scrambling to get grass track trial runs. They are balloted and eliminated. Look at how many northern trainers are trekking to Foxton trials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 56 minutes ago, Special Agent said: Rangiora and Motukarara already have the "infrastructure" and would only take a minimal amount of money to get track surfaces up to an acceptable level, compared to what has already been spent on the all weather surface. In the northern region trainers are scrambling to get grass track trial runs. They are balloted and eliminated. Look at how many northern trainers are trekking to Foxton trials. Nick Wigley was in this morning for a gallop, as there were trots at Rangiora. Said the track was superb. Could be used anytime, he reckoned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 Could you ask Nick to drop Darin a line? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy connolly Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 Wigley, IMO was one of a group of individuals responsible for kissing goodbye to half ownership of this now very valuable asset which is Rangiora. Wouldn't ask Wigley the time of day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 Plan B then. What is the situation with Motukarara? Te Teko not being used is a crying shame too. Letting assets go is not clever in anyone's books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted February 17 Author Share Posted February 17 28 minutes ago, Special Agent said: Plan B then. What is the situation with Motukarara? Te Teko not being used is a crying shame too. Letting assets go is not clever in anyone's books. Keeping them and not making the best use of them when they can fill a dire need is probably worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 Land banking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the galah Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 (edited) 4 hours ago, Special Agent said: Plan B then. What is the situation with Motukarara? Te Teko not being used is a crying shame too. Letting assets go is not clever in anyone's books. Someone told me recently that no harness trainers allowed to work on grass anymore at motukarara. No harness workouts on grass due to that last week.Just to be used for raceday. So wouldn't hold your breath there. Edited February 18 by the galah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 Shame, but understandable if committee interest/involvement and staff issues are as I understand them to be. Someone has to be paid to do the maintenance work if horses are to be worked - on any surface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the galah Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 (edited) 9 hours ago, Freda said: Shame, but understandable if committee interest/involvement and staff issues are as I understand them to be. Someone has to be paid to do the maintenance work if horses are to be worked - on any surface. The person who told me said only a handful of trainers ever used the grass and they only trained a couple and that they only ever worked around the very outside of the track anyway once or twice a week when allowed. Just a case of another club prioritising who they think is important to them i suppose. Edited February 21 by the galah 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 On 18/02/2024 at 12:12 PM, Special Agent said: Land banking? Absolutely that is the case, a mass crack at the venues will happen its only a matter of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAB For Ever Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 I see the Trial field out for Riccarton 2 yr old tomorrow prior to Race 1. 5 horses .....one from North [Te Akau] and two from Harness trainer Mark Purdon. Concerningly small fields for Wanganui , but the CastlePoint beach races this Saturday and I see Peter Didham and Kevin Myers taking horses there. Dunno what to make of all this. Matamata trials next week now off ,moved to Cambridge cos Muttermutter track needed for Tauranga meeting as track suffered from Tuesdays trials. At least they getting in early and showing a bit of initiative ! Advance warning ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 2 minutes ago, TAB For Ever said: Dunno what to make of all this. Matamata trials next week now off ,moved to Cambridge cos Muttermutter track needed for Tauranga meeting as track suffered from Tuesdays trials. At least they getting in early and showing a bit of initiative ! Advance warning ! Fairly obvious isn't it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted February 22 Author Share Posted February 22 52 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: Fairly obvious isn't it. We don't have enough grass tracks that aren't completely stuffed? 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAB For Ever Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 1 hour ago, curious said: We don't have enough grass tracks that aren't completely stuffed? Exactly as Messara told us....get some funds together to try and fix enough to secure Racings future. While work being done Synthetic tracks should be good for trials....just get on with it ,plus get Waikato Greenfields under way ,pronto . Top trainers OK to trial on Beach so Synthetic should be all go ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted February 22 Author Share Posted February 22 1 minute ago, TAB For Ever said: Exactly as Messara told us....get some funds together to try and fix enough to secure Racings future. While work being done Synthetic tracks should be good for trials....just get on with it ,plus get Waikato Greenfields under way ,pronto . Top trainers OK to trial on Beach so Synthetic should be all go ! Are you taking the piss? There is no comparison between the beach and the poly as a galloping surface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 9 minutes ago, TAB For Ever said: Exactly as Messara told us....get some funds together to try and fix enough to secure Racings future. We already have some good grass tracks that dont need fixing but the suits have decreed that we can't use them. Plus the $50million spent at Ellerslie hasn't worked out that well yet. Meanwhile Pukekohe is stuffed and there is a Mexican standoff at Avondale. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted February 22 Author Share Posted February 22 5 minutes ago, curious said: Are you taking the piss? There is no comparison between the beach and the poly as a galloping surface. Do the All Blacks train on synthetic? 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 2 minutes ago, curious said: Do the All Blacks train on synthetic? They'd have to wear full length rash shirts and trousers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 4 hours ago, TAB For Ever said: Top trainers OK to trial on Beach so Synthetic should be all go ! What do you mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 4 hours ago, TAB For Ever said: Exactly as Messara told us It was Messara's Report, was it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 1 hour ago, Special Agent said: It was Messara's Report, was it? Messara's report was rubbish. The man knew nothing about NZ Racing and made so many errors that the whole report must be suspect. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAB For Ever Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 7 hours ago, curious said: Do the All Blacks train on synthetic? When the conditions too bad The AllBlacks and many of the World's Top sports teams play on artificial surfaces. Synthetic tracks are made for horse racing.....most days around the World there are more horse races held on clay ,poly , synthetic , dirt tracks than grass tacks. Get with the program......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAB For Ever Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 1 hour ago, Doomed said: Messara's report was rubbish. The man knew nothing about NZ Racing and made so many errors that the whole report must be suspect. Rubbish Doomed ,overall his report was well received ,necessary and gave the NZ Racing scene a wake-up call. As he said opposition arguments are dynamics of an earlier era ! And not helped by the inability of NZ Clubs to work together and agree on a path forward ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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