Wightman's Latest FB post on Polytracks.

[Chief Stipe]

Colin Wightman said:

 

“Take 4” of the NZ Polytrack saga as it comes down to the OBC versus the good folk in racing, those who truly care for the welfare of our horses. Without a shadow of a doubt, NZ’s polytracks are a disaster. A $50 million cock-up.

Darren Balcombe the track man for NZTR tried to convince me that Cambridge had been “sorted” but clear evidence since is proving that it is no better than the cheap shod polytracks we have at both Awapuni and Riccarton.

Horses injured & euthanised alongside a growing list of riders who have fallen victim to it as well at a far higher rate than turf.

The OBC, I shouldn’t need to tell you, don’t care for animal welfare. They are primarily social climbers who only care for themselves. Wine swilling, self serving, selfish, bludging, queer speaking unfortunates who use our beautiful horses to promote their social climbing careers. Many with funny handshakes … I’m sure you’ve got the picture. Sadly, many of them have infiltrated our racing administration.

Heavily subsidised city clubs the nesting ground for most, gravy running down their chins with their heads in the pigs trough as it’s known.

Okay .. enough of who the OBC is (most of you should know) but I’m going to take my hat back off to an amazing chap I refer to as Mr Z who has been trying to alert racing authorities here in NZ to the horrific substandard nature of our polytracks. He is so passionate about our horses welfare that he has suffered at the hands of NZTR and the arrogant sods at RACE consortium who have set out to victimise him for blowing the whistle. Yep, NZTR not renewing his stable hands licence and then 3 of the hand picked Board members from NZTR giving it back to him with so many conditions attached that it’s not worth having. His wife who holds the trainers licence booted off Awapuni track because of the good work of her husband. Fortunately, in reverse, it doesn’t end there. Mr Z to his credit has just visited the super dooper poly track at Santa Anita (their 2nd attempt to get it right) and he visited the number one poly track in Ireland (Dundalk) to get the latest intelligence on why these polytracks work in both countries and not here. NZTR, as often they do, will hate being told that they are guilty of a big cover-up on the dangers of the polytracks here because Mr Z has filed an amazing report to the heads of this industry calling on an urgent reconsideration of what they are subjecting our horses and riders to. In short ..

I see this as a showdown between those who love the Thoroughbred racehorse and care for our riders .. and those who don’t. Sadly, Darin Balcombe’s share price on this one is not looking good. Nor is the Board of NZTR in terms of their complicity in the horrific treatment dished out to Mr Z who has acted “for the good of racing” here in NZ.

[Chief Stipe]

8 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

The OBC, I shouldn’t need to tell you, don’t care for animal welfare.

I think whoever is in the Col's Old Boy's Club do actuaIlly care about animal welfare.  Unfortunately I think they are as disconnected as the rest of us with regard to what is happening at the coal face.  For a number of reasons.

Yes they are Old School.  They still believe that what needs to happen to provide safe surfaces for racing on are being prepared.  They won't criticise. 

The irony is those that are tasked with providing those surfaces also believe they are doing the right thing.  With limited resources they are doing their best.

BUT the administrators that are supposed to be checking are not doing their job.  They think they are but they aren't.  

[curious]

NZTR to Launch Independent Review Into Synthetic Track Performance

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has today announced an independent review into the performance of the country's three synthetic racetracks.

The review, to be led by Massey University, will involve independent world-leading experts from the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory, based out of The University of Kentucky.

The review will analyse all existing data as well as carry out additional testing to better understand the performance of New Zealand’s synthetic tracks.

The current stated objectives of the review are:

·         Provide a concise summary of the hoof limb interaction on synthetic and turf tracks based on the published literature

·         Provide a description of the synthetic tracks in New Zealand, their physical properties, the management techniques employed and the current metrics on horse use and performance

Analysis by Massey University of the 2023/24 racing season revealed that New Zealand remains one of the safest horse racing jurisdictions in the world, with a fracture rate on turf tracks of 0.37 per 1,000 starts.

While still world leading, the fracture rate on synthetic tracks appears higher than turf at 0.81 per 1,000 starts.

Although the data pool remains small due to the limited number of starts when compared to turf tracks, it is hoped the review will help explain the disparities as well as highlight areas of improvement. This in turn should lead to improved track performance and help alleviate any industry concerns.

“The review is part of our commitment to industry stakeholders to seek continuous improvement and investigate any concerns,” says NZTR Chief Operating Officer, Darin Balcombe.

“NZTR is aware of the concerns raised which is why we are engaging the experts to lead this review and identify what we can do to improve conditions at Cambridge, Awapuni and Riccarton."

Chief Technology Officer, Kaleb Dempsey from the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory is due to fly out to begin work within the next few weeks. He will be followed by Professor Mick Petersen in early 2025. Prof. Petersen is a highly regarded world expert in racetrack surfaces and is the Director of the Racetrack Safety Program at the University of Kentucky.

The report is expected to be published mid-2025.

Corporate Communications
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing
Contact: Catlyn Calder
+64 27 252 2803
nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz

[Special Agent]

Darin Balcombe states that the fracture rate is higher on synthetic tracks here.

I bet other career ending injuries such as tendon and ligament damage are higher too.

The statistics don't seem to mention the horses that have dropped dead without broken limbs, or bleeders.

Also not considered are other injuries that are ongoing and require treatment like muscle damage and breathing difficulties.

Well done for listening to the yelling.

Edited yesterday at 02:52 AM by Special Agent

[Freda]

Well, we have the much- aligned Colin Wightman to thank for this.

Despite the concerns of many people, their opinions have been largely brushed aside and I very much doubt if anything would have transpired without his energy - as well as that of Mr Z.

Although Col can go off at a tangent he loves a stoush and in this case, despite some rather creative language, has galvanized some action.

[Chief Stipe]

2 hours ago, Freda said:

Well, we have the much- aligned Colin Wightman to thank for this.

Despite the concerns of many people, their opinions have been largely brushed aside and I very much doubt if anything would have transpired without his energy - as well as that of Mr Z.

Although Col can go off at a tangent he loves a stoush and in this case, despite some rather creative language, has galvanized some action.

I think he should let go of the OBC conspiracy stuff.  I was listening to Maurice Williamson yesterday discussing politics and he quoted Muldoon.  Muldoon said if you have a problem and the choice is between a conspiracy and a cockup always go for the cockup.

So in this case it isn't a conspiracy that has caused these problems it is basically incompetence either caused by the wrong people making the wrong decisions or the constraints of a lack of resources directed at the problems.  Does anyone really think that @Huey 's the imaginary Waikato Mafia want tracks they way they are?

[Special Agent]

You might not agree with everything someone says but, credit where it is due.  Colin has done an amazing job just getting NZTR to listen.  The desired result may not eventuate (personally I'd like to see NZTR cut "our" losses and restore grass tracks where synthetic ones currently lie) but, we can at least now see action.

Thank you.