Pukekohe HUMP day

[Thomass]

Very poor show from Pukekohe allowing the crossing to become a H & S issue resulting in ARBY losing it's rider after attempting to jump it.

Hampered 4 other horses in doing so, not to mention the dangers of a riderless horse and in a prestigious race.

The side on trackside camera showed a distinct sharp rise and fall and certainly not level to the rest of the track as required.

Crossings are hugely problematic and if Auckland Racing are serious about safety they should seriously contemplate a tunnel instead of a HUMP

Here's an NZTR guideline that references "LEVEL"...which it clearly aint

"Crossings must be consistent with the course proper in terms of surface levels, camber/crossfalls, surface hardness, profile/depth, and visual appearance so that horses are not put off stride when approaching, crossing and exiting the Crossing.

Prior to each race meeting any build up of material on the Crossing must be removed and the crossing leveled to ensure a consistent surface free of ridges and depressions. Miniu venue guideline standards – fifth edition septeber 2013 9 All course proper track crossings must be covered with grass on race day, unless the local RIU Stipendiary Steward has granted dispensation.

It is important that the grass used to cover the crossings has a reasonable length to it rather than being lawn mower clippings. The grass must be spread from the running rail out for at least six meters.

During the race day the crossing will require ongoing maintenance including raking and in some cases replacement grass added. On race days when the crossing is used as a vehicle crossing, a higher level of maintenance will be required."

[Doomed]

I did notice during one race that the crossing was significantly raised above the rest of the track. I thought at the time it looked a bit suspect. I hadn't realised that was what caused the fall.

[Pete Lane]

2 hours ago, Thomass said:

Very poor show from Pukekohe allowing the crossing to become a H & S issue resulting in ARBY losing it's rider after attempting to jump it.

Hampered 4 other horses in doing so, not to mention the dangers of a riderless horse and in a prestigious race.

The side on trackside camera showed a distinct sharp rise and fall and certainly not level to the rest of the track as required.

Crossings are hugely problematic and if Auckland Racing are serious about safety they should seriously contemplate a tunnel instead of a HUMP

Here's an NZTR guideline that references "LEVEL"...which it clearly aint

"Crossings must be consistent with the course proper in terms of surface levels, camber/crossfalls, surface hardness, profile/depth, and visual appearance so that horses are not put off stride when approaching, crossing and exiting the Crossing.

Prior to each race meeting any build up of material on the Crossing must be removed and the crossing leveled to ensure a consistent surface free of ridges and depressions. Miniu venue guideline standards – fifth edition septeber 2013 9 All course proper track crossings must be covered with grass on race day, unless the local RIU Stipendiary Steward has granted dispensation.

It is important that the grass used to cover the crossings has a reasonable length to it rather than being lawn mower clippings. The grass must be spread from the running rail out for at least six meters.

During the race day the crossing will require ongoing maintenance including raking and in some cases replacement grass added. On race days when the crossing is used as a vehicle crossing, a higher level of maintenance will be required."

How come all the other horses that raced over it didn't dislodge their rider?

[Doomed]

15 minutes ago, Pete Lane said:

How come all the other horses that raced over it didn't dislodge their rider?

I suppose its the same as when you get a slippery track and one horse falls over and they abandon the meeting. It only takes one.

[curious]

How many have to die for a track to be deemed unsafe and in blatant breach of the venue preparation guidelines?

[Thomass]

1 hour ago, Doomed said:

I did notice during one race that the crossing was significantly raised above the rest of the track. I thought at the time it looked a bit suspect. I hadn't realised that was what caused the fall.

It looks as if the horse suddenly noticed the different surface then it's certainly not ideal if the level is uneven when coming down

The inside horses also appeared to rise more than the outside

[Thomass]

1 hour ago, Pete Lane said:

How come all the other horses that raced over it didn't dislodge their rider?

Good input, you should post more often

[Thomass]

15 minutes ago, curious said:

How many have to die for a track to be deemed unsafe and in blatant breach of the venue preparation guidelines?

That crossing in the back straight at Trentham looks dodgy as well

[Pete Lane]

1 hour ago, Thomass said:

Good input, you should post more often

It was an intentionally ridiculous question to a ridiculous subject.

You have way too much time on your hands.

[Murray Fish]

1 hour ago, Pete Lane said:

It was an intentionally ridiculous question to a ridiculous subject.

how is is a ridiculous thread? 

 

perhaps I'm over sensitive what with personally know riders who have been killed and way to many that are crimpled for life!

[Thomass]

17 hours ago, Pete Lane said:

It was an intentionally ridiculous question to a ridiculous subject.

You have way too much time on your hands.

Here's a crazy idea

If you dont like a post...

Ignore it..or go back to commenting on Jockey's marriages 

#nothingbutatroll

[Thomass]

Below the Coronial report into jockey Simone Montgomerie's death in the Darwin Cup 2014

Metro courses like Pukekohe simply should not have crossings...if they do there should be zero tolerance to unlevel ground and significantly different coloured turf as was the case here

 

"Ultimately, for reasons I elaborate on below, I was able to be comfortably satisfied that Ms Montgomerie fell from Riahgrand in Race 6 because it had an extreme and unusual reaction to the pedestrian crossing that was at that time positioned around 200-metres before the finishing line.

The horse baulked or shied to the left and then appeared to try and stop before lurching forward again, and not even the most gifted of riders, as Ms Montgomerie was, could stay seated.

Although horses have been known to baulk or shy at crossings, necessitating a range of measures to try and blend them into the rest of the track, this reaction from the horse was very exceptional and unexpected.

I heard evidence from representatives of the Darwin Turf Club (DTC) and Thoroughbred Racing Northern Territory (TRNT), and they impressed me as people who are dedicated to ensuring that the sport they love is as safe as possible for its participants.

I commend DTC for making the proactive decision to remove the 200 metre crossing after Ms Montgomerie’s accident since that cautious approach was warranted, but given the bizarre circumstances of this accident and the lengths that had been taken to ensure the crossing was maintained before 2013, I am not critical that it wasn’t done beforehand.

I accept without hesitation that Ms Montgomerie’s death has been devastating for the close knit racing community in the Territory and those who gave evidence before me have approached this inquest in a spirit of cooperation that speaks to their genuine concern for Ms Montgomerie and her family and the desire to learn from this tragedy to ensure there is no repeat"