curious Posted May 24 Share Posted May 24 Interestingly, the upcoming HBPA conference in Idaho has a whole session programmed on this very topic. There it is considered critical to success. Here, any attempt to even discuss it seems to be dismissed. The art of classifying and filling races will include a group of industry experts addressing the possibility of horse racing establishing a new classification system for race conditions. The panel debating this complex issue include racing consultant Rick Hammerle (Santa Anita, Kentucky Downs); Ocala Stud's David O'Farrell, the current Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) chair; and Andy Schweigardt, TOBA's director of industry relations and development; with racing talk-show host Steve Byk moderating. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted May 26 Share Posted May 26 Good morning, A R65 1600m race ($35,000) has been added to the Otago meeting on Sunday 2 June. Kind regards, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted May 26 Author Share Posted May 26 10 minutes ago, curious said: Good morning, A R65 1600m race ($35,000) has been added to the Otago meeting on Sunday 2 June. Kind regards, Obviously Wingatui is all good to go them. No such luck for the Otago and Southland maidens who missed out last week. They either have to go to Riccarton to race on the AWT or wait for yet another Wingatui meeting on 30 June. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted May 27 Share Posted May 27 6 hours ago, Doomed said: Obviously Wingatui is all good to go them. No such luck for the Otago and Southland maidens who missed out last week. They either have to go to Riccarton to race on the AWT or wait for yet another Wingatui meeting on 30 June. Be interesting to know how they fixed the track in 3 days. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted May 27 Author Share Posted May 27 4 hours ago, curious said: Be interesting to know how they fixed the track in 3 days. They do have access to a lot of experience now. I imagine they flew down people from HB and Awapuni to advise Wingatui. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeynz Posted May 27 Share Posted May 27 (edited) It's a bit tough on some with no maiden races on Sunday, one trainer suggested they could run twelve races, nice idea but that's a gamble in itself. Strangely last year the same Wingatui meeting, (May 26) had only 6 races and about 40 runners, this year numbers seem to be plentiful, one wonders why the odd mini meeting at Ascot Park or Gore would be a step forward instead of being compelled to travel north or just pull the pin, remember when racing after covid resumed,Ascot Park raced on July 17, surely some areas need some flexibility. Mini meetings may be run of the mill in Northern Harness soon, if at all, so why not the Southern gallops? Weather at this time is a bit of a gamble but that' applies to everywhere in NZ. Edited May 27 by mikeynz 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted May 28 Author Share Posted May 28 A change of terminology. Good to see them listening. The R65 1400m WILL be divided 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted May 30 Share Posted May 30 (edited) On 27/05/2024 at 7:35 PM, Doomed said: They do have access to a lot of experience now. I imagine they flew down people from HB and Awapuni to advise Wingatui. If the track is already perfect with no concerns, why would you then put the ground breaker through it? And as an aside, what exactly is a ground breaker anyway? Meeting News Wingatui Track Update On Tuesday 28 May, four pairs of horses were galloped over the Wingatui track in front of NZTR and Club representatives, and an external Regional Track Advisor. Horses covered the full width of the racing surface, galloping from the True position, out to the centre of the track. Comments from senior riders Corey Campbell and Shankar Muniandy were all positive. Corey commented that “the track is perfect, and there are no concerns heading towards racing on Sunday”. To provide extra assurance for riders, Otago RC track manager Wayne Stevens will put the ground breaker machine through the surface. Edited May 30 by curious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted May 30 Share Posted May 30 2 hours ago, curious said: And as an aside, what exactly is a ground breaker anyway? The Budget? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted May 30 Share Posted May 30 29 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: The Budget? I thought it was an innovator. Apparently it's one of these but why you would use that on a perfect track 2 days out from a race meeting is beyond me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray Fish Posted May 30 Share Posted May 30 (cut and paste, from some who does know) to someone who claimed it was the northern riders who complained "Track was unsafe for all Jockeys not just the north islanders!! Same thing happened last time they moved rail out at Wingatui at the same place, as this part of track never gets chipped out and irrigation (during summer) doesn't go out that far. This concern was brought up by leading south island female rider!!" again i ask, how was the track safe for early races?? was damaged dun during those early races and it played out in the 5th... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted May 30 Share Posted May 30 1 hour ago, curious said: I thought it was an innovator. Apparently it's one of these but why you would use that on a perfect track 2 days out from a race meeting is beyond me. FFS - soils fckd! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted May 30 Author Share Posted May 30 3 hours ago, curious said: I thought it was an innovator. Apparently it's one of these but why you would use that on a perfect track 2 days out from a race meeting is beyond me. Gee, the infield at Wingatui is drier than I imagined. I hope the grass grows back by Sunday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted May 30 Share Posted May 30 33 minutes ago, Doomed said: Gee, the infield at Wingatui is drier than I imagined. I hope the grass grows back by Sunday. They can work turf miracles down there in 3 days, so don't be surprised. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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