Riccarton trials deleted

[Freda]

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.

[Special Agent]

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.

[Freda]

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. 

[Special Agent]

Could you ask Nick to drop Darin a line?

[billy connolly]

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.

[Special Agent]

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.

[curious]

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.

[Special Agent]

Land banking?

[the galah]

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, 2024 by the galah

[Freda]

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 galah]

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, 2024 by the galah

[Huey]

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.

[TAB For Ever]

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 !

[Chief Stipe]

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.

[curious]

52 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Fairly obvious isn't it.

We don't have enough grass tracks that aren't completely stuffed?

[TAB For Ever]

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 !

[curious]

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.

[Chief Stipe]

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.

 

[curious]

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?

[Chief Stipe]

2 minutes ago, curious said:

Do the All Blacks train on synthetic?

They'd have to wear full length rash shirts and trousers.

[Special Agent]

4 hours ago, TAB For Ever said:

Top trainers OK to trial on Beach so Synthetic should be all go !

What do you mean?

[Special Agent]

4 hours ago, TAB For Ever said:

Exactly as Messara told us

It was Messara's Report, was it?

[Doomed]

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.

[TAB For Ever]

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.........

[TAB For Ever]

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 !