When will these AWT's take off? Awapuni trials cancelled... 23-04-2024

[curious]

On 24/06/2024 at 2:42 PM, curious said:

Anyone spotted the trial fields for Riccarton tomorrow? Seems to have mysteriously disappeared off the calendar but no notice from NZTR to date.

Well they've ended up with 17 noms for 2 heats before the races tomorrow. 2yo heat was deleted.

[Freda]

Which makes me wonder, if, with a bit more flexibility in programming [ i.e. having some idea what grades/distances are wanted at any given time] most of those horses trialling might have chosen to go around at the races.   Cheaper, for starters.

The 2yo's on the other hand need encouragement, as their opportunities are very limited. But their trial gets deleted.

[Chief Stipe]

2 hours ago, Freda said:

The 2yo's on the other hand need encouragement, as their opportunities are very limited. But their trial gets deleted.

Don't forget the 2yr olds are rising 3yr olds.  Doesn't bode well for the Spring.

[curious]

The other thing that it raises is the possibility of running 2 or 3 trial heats on race days like this before the meeting but do so on a regular basis. That might mitigate the dearth of grass trials and thereby reduce owner costs. Because full sets of gates are available larger heats can also be run where required.

[Chief Stipe]

1 hour ago, curious said:

The other thing that it raises is the possibility of running 2 or 3 trial heats on race days like this before the meeting but do so on a regular basis. That might mitigate the dearth of grass trials and thereby reduce owner costs. Because full sets of gates are available larger heats can also be run where required.

The trials tomorrow are on the AWT.

[curious]

25 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

The trials tomorrow are on the AWT.

Yes but they could do the same thing before grass meetings routinely. From memory, the CJC recently did, although they won't run full trial meetings on the grass track.

[Doomed]

11 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Don't forget the 2yr olds are rising 3yr olds.  Doesn't bode well for the Spring.

I always think exactly the same myself. The lack of 2yo opportunities must reflect on the Spring 3yo racing.

[Doomed]

11 hours ago, curious said:

The other thing that it raises is the possibility of running 2 or 3 trial heats on race days like this before the meeting but do so on a regular basis. That might mitigate the dearth of grass trials and thereby reduce owner costs. Because full sets of gates are available larger heats can also be run where required.

Far, far, far too sensible.

[Freda]

21 hours ago, curious said:

The other thing that it raises is the possibility of running 2 or 3 trial heats on race days like this before the meeting but do so on a regular basis. That might mitigate the dearth of grass trials and thereby reduce owner costs. Because full sets of gates are available larger heats can also be run where required.

I'll see what sort of response that gets from the T.A.

[curious]

11 minutes ago, Freda said:

I'll see what sort of response that gets from the T.A.

Thanks. I'm a member if you need another vote I won't hold my breath though. It does seem a low cost solution  given stipes, gates, cameras, commentator etc. are already there. Down here in Canterbury, assuming regular jumpouts get underway now at Rangiora, the combination would be a reasonable outcome.

[curious]

Also means that tracks would get a good safety test at trial speeds before racing gets underway.

[Freda]

6 hours ago, Freda said:

I'll see what sort of response that gets from the T.A.

The local branch President thinks it's a good idea.