Chief Stipe Posted September 9 Share Posted September 9 The comeback trail for racing at Ellerslie starts AGAIN. 140 horses over 22 trials. https://loveracing.nz/raceinfo/53533/meeting-overview.aspx NZ's leading stable has no entries. Rail out 12.5m. I thought the problems were inside I.e. nearer to true? So they are essentially testing a portion of the track that hasn't been raced on. A Good 4 after 10mm of irrigation in the last 24 hours. By comparison that amount of water applied to Hastings in dribs and drabs produced a Soft 5. Will they have set some measures/metrics for determining if the track is up to scratch? Or will they rely on the random questioning of a handful of Senior Jockeys? Will they send a structured questionnaire to Trainers post the trial meeting asking how their horses came through the trials? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted September 9 Share Posted September 9 Certainly a few 3yos about up there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted September 10 Author Share Posted September 10 I note there was no moisture meter reading. Surely that would be part of the comeback process? How do they calibrate for the future? Was a penetrometer used? Actually have any of the "test" gallops had these metrics recorded? Surely the track manager would be taking these readings daily to assist with calibrating the water budget? ATR @ Ellerslie Trials | Tuesday 10 September TRIAL DAY Trial Morning Weather: Cloudy Track: Good 4 Moisture Meter: N/A Rail: Out 12.5m Irrigation: 10mm Applied Last 24 Hours Weather and Track updated at 6.50am Tuesday 10 September Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 Pretty sure they don't have a penetrometer for that type of track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted September 10 Author Share Posted September 10 2 hours ago, Doomed said: Pretty sure they don't have a penetrometer for that type of track. Then how do they determine if it's a G4 without a penetrometer OR a moisture meter. Will it never be soft? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 https://www.aucklandracing.co.nz/press-release-update-on-penetrometer-readings-of-ellerslies-strathayr-track/ 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted September 10 Author Share Posted September 10 5 hours ago, curious said: https://www.aucklandracing.co.nz/press-release-update-on-penetrometer-readings-of-ellerslies-strathayr-track/ Uh? A G4 irrespective of rainfall? What about moisture content readings? Do we have 4 AWT's in NZ now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray Fish Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 There perhaps is a need to go old school and do what often happen, the head stipe and another, could be the commentator as in Peter Kelly's day, they walk out onto the track by the winning post and kick the ground, mumble a bit and out came that days guesstimate. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted September 10 Author Share Posted September 10 10 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Uh? A G4 irrespective of rainfall? What about moisture content readings? Do we have 4 AWT's in NZ now? Moonee Valley is StrathAyr is it not? This is their track report for last Saturday: Please note that no further Track Condition Reports outside of the four Racing Victoria submission timeframes and deadlines outlined below are required to be submitted unless there is a change in Track Rating. If there is a change in Track Rating at any stage an additional report will be entered by the Victorian Club Track Managers. For further information please contact the relevant racing club. Item Inspection Timeframe Inspection Deadline for Track Rating to be Submitted Non Submission Follow Up 1 Day of nominations close [after nominations close] Following Noms Close & Prior to 2:50pm By Racing Victoria Post 3pm and prior to 4pm 2 Day before acceptances close [after nominations close] Prior to 2:50pm By Racing Victoria Post 3pm and prior to 4pm 3 Day of acceptances close [before acceptances close] Prior to 6:50am [where there has been significant weather conditions overnight resulting in a change in Track Rating since the prior day's report] 4 Day before Race Day [after acceptances close] Prior to 2:50pm By Racing Victoria Post 3pm and prior to 4pm 5 Race Day [after acceptances close] Prior to 6:50am By Racing Australia Post 6:50am Meeting Type: Metro (TAB MEETING) Print Friendly Rail Position: True Entire Circuit Dual Track Meeting: N Track Type: Turf Track Condition: Good 4 Weather: Fine Penetrometer: Track Information: Inspection 6AM 7/9; Going stick 9.2, Shear 11.2, Penetrate 8.2. Moisture 22.5%. Track was mowed Tuesday at 4" Scratchings Last Published: Sat 07-Sep-24 7:48AM AEST Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted September 10 Author Share Posted September 10 Report from Tony Pike: “We’ve got through the day well, the jockeys have been happy with the track and there’s definitely more indentation in the track then there probably was previously,” Pike said. “Obviously getting later in the afternoon now, it is starting to firm up a touch, but I think everyone has been pleased with the surface.” Pike collected his first stakes success of the season with Poetic Champion in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) with Matt Cartwright on board, who was also able to provide a fresh perspective on Ellerslie after moving from Victoria, where the StrathAyr is utilised at the likes of Moonee Valley. “One of the comments from Matt Cartwright, who has ridden on StrathAyr tracks a number of times in Melbourne, was that a bit more grass cover would be ideal, and talking to Paul (Wilcox, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing chief executive), they have fertilised the track and will be getting more grass cover ahead of the upcoming race meetings,” Pike said. “I think it’s been positive all round and we’re looking forward to getting back to headquarters on race day.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted September 11 Author Share Posted September 11 Ellerslie given green light for racing’s return loveracing.nz Ellerslie is set to host some of the biggest race meetings on the calendar this season, but for Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) chief executive Paul Wilcox, one raceday stands above the rest. The newly installed StrathAyr track is set to host its first meeting of the season on Saturday-week, with many industry participants eager to see how it will cope with the stresses of racing after undergoing remedial work over winter. The new surface hosted its first race meeting in January to much fanfare, however, a fortnight later at the Karaka Millions meeting it came under scrutiny after a couple of horses lost their footing. The track subsequently held a handful of meetings, including Auckland Cup and New Zealand Derby Day, before two meetings in April were partially abandoned due to horses slipping. The track was set to undergo some planned remedial work over winter, however, the club’s last scheduled meeting of the season on May 25 was transferred to Pukekohe Park to allow for the work to commence immediately. Following the remedial work, the track has hosted a number of successful jump-outs and trials, including 22 heats on Tuesday, giving the club plenty of confidence heading into their opening meeting of the season. “There was a surface tension that was created when we were feeding the grass to get it to grow that created a root matting at the top layer,” Wilcox said. “We have done the renovations where we have removed that and yesterday we had no issues. We are relieved.” Wilcox said the club has been canvassing trainers for their feedback from the trials, and they have received positive reports. “So far, so good,” Wilcox said. “Craig Baker (ATR Executive General Manager of Racing) has been talking with some of the trainers this (Wednesday) morning to see how their horses have pulled up and everything seems good there. We are happy.” Over winter, ATR flew in a number of track specialists from Australia to assist with the track renovation, which Wilcox said was hugely beneficial. “We got Chris Hay, who looks after the StrathAyr tracks in Tasmania, and Liam O’Keeffe from Flemington, whose track is a sand profile track and presents the same way as ours does,” he said. “Utilising the skillset of two guys who are at the top of their game is something we are never afraid of. We got them in to help to give us the advice and changes that were needed to make sure we had the surface to present to enable racedays. “Every track has its own intricacies. It doesn’t matter if it is turf, sand or synthetic, you utilise people with the skillsets that have the knowledge of preparation. We used them and they gave us some good advice, and we had a successful day (of trials) yesterday. “We did everything in the book to get it (track) to where it needs to be.” The StrathAyr track has cost the club north of $50 million, which comes with pressure, and Wilcox said the club has felt both support and scrutiny following the track’s performance to date. “The money is irrelevant, it is making sure we have got a surface that can perform on raceday,” he said. “We had a slip, and that wasn’t good enough, so it was making sure that we can get the surface that gives the confidence to the jockeys and horses that are going around. “There has been an element of negativity, but that is to be expected in the industry that we are in. All-in-all the trainers that have been supportive of us are wanting it to go well because they are wanting to have the ability to race at Ellerslie. We have been getting some really good support.” There is plenty to look forward to at Ellerslie this season, including the blockbuster Champions Day in March, which will host the inaugural $3.5 million The NZB Kiwi (1500m). However, Wilcox said his team’s primary focus at this stage is their first meeting of the season next Saturday. “We have got the new Champions Day in March, and we are looking forward to that, but I will be a happier man when we get that 21st (of September) meeting out of the way, which is what we are focussing on,” he said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lane Posted Monday at 11:36 PM Share Posted Monday at 11:36 PM On 9/10/2024 at 10:25 PM, Chief Stipe said: Uh? A G4 irrespective of rainfall? What about moisture content readings? Do we have 4 AWT's in NZ now? Interestingly a Soft 5 this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted Monday at 11:45 PM Author Share Posted Monday at 11:45 PM 9 minutes ago, Pete Lane said: Interestingly a Soft 5 this morning. How do they work that out when they don't use a penetrometer? Perhaps they could have borrowed a "Going Stick" from their OZZIE consulants? One of @Thomass 's chestnuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lane Posted Tuesday at 12:02 AM Share Posted Tuesday at 12:02 AM 15 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: How do they work that out when they don't use a penetrometer? Perhaps they could have borrowed a "Going Stick" from their OZZIE consulants? One of @Thomass 's chestnuts. Yeah I wondered that. Especially after they came out and said they'd only be declaring Good 4 tracks. Confusing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted Tuesday at 12:10 AM Author Share Posted Tuesday at 12:10 AM Meeting News ATR @ Ellerslie | Saturday 21 September Nomination Morning Weather: Showery Track: Soft 5 Moisture Meter: 23.1% Rail: True Rainfall: 9mm Rain Last 24hrs Irrigation: Nil Weather and Track updated at 8.40am Tuesday 17 September Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted Tuesday at 12:11 AM Author Share Posted Tuesday at 12:11 AM Just now, Chief Stipe said: Track: Soft 5 Moisture Meter: 23.1% Eh? Now they are using a moisture meter as well. But a moisture content of 23% would on most tracks be a Good 3. What do you think @curious ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted Tuesday at 12:32 AM Share Posted Tuesday at 12:32 AM Might be the case for Strathayrs. If you look at the MV data you post above a G4 was 22.5% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted Tuesday at 12:46 AM Author Share Posted Tuesday at 12:46 AM 13 minutes ago, curious said: Might be the case for Strathayrs. If you look at the MV data you post above a G4 was 22.5% Certainly not a Soft 5. Or are tracks not calibrated nationally but locally! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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