the galah Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 Just heard greg O'Connor comment on the horses not going into the birdcage pre race at timaru. The horses would only be parading in front of the stables. Apparently they don't want the horses coming out of the birdcage,then crossing from the galloping track to the trotting track. This despite Timaru having had little rain recently. This all to protect the galloping track for a mid week meeting. The closest the public at Timaru can get to the horses pre race would be about 100m. Its just another example of those running these meetings taking away part of the experience of going to the races and getting closer to the action. There is a clear message coming through more and more at some of these tracks. Stay at home and watch the races. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flagship uberalles Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 2 minutes ago, the galah said: Just heard greg O'Connor comment on the horses not going into the birdcage pre race at timaru. The horses would only be parading in front of the stables. Apparently they don't want the horses coming out of the birdcage,then crossing from the galloping track to the trotting track. This despite Timaru having had little rain recently. This all to protect the galloping track for a mid week meeting. The closest the public at Timaru can get to the horses pre race would be about 100m. Its just another example of those running these meetings taking away part of the experience of going to the races and getting closer to the action. There is a clear message coming through more and more at some of these tracks. Stay at home and watch the races. Sad state of affairs, half the fun is to see them parade up close 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongOwner Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 For me it would be the first place to get the chop - terrible facilities , average track & never any atmosphere - and this confirms why keep the place . 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rangatira Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 6 hours ago, Flagship uberalles said: Sad state of affairs, half the fun is to see them parade up close 35 mins between races at addington back in the day was time enough head down to the stables parade ring for a close up look at those in the next then off to the back of the tote to collect from the previous, then off to watch them on the track pre race, then off to bet and get a seat to watch the race from the stand. no time for a second meeting on the same night 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westview Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 Sorry to have to correct you here but they were parading in the ring down by the stables which has good access to everyone 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flagship uberalles Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 1 hour ago, Rangatira said: 35 mins between races at addington back in the day was time enough head down to the stables parade ring for a close up look at those in the next then off to the back of the tote to collect from the previous, then off to watch them on the track pre race, then off to bet and get a seat to watch the race from the stand. no time for a second meeting on the same night Groundhog Day 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Counter Punch Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 13 hours ago, LongOwner said: For me it would be the first place to get the chop - terrible facilities , average track & never any atmosphere - and this confirms why keep the place . Funnily enough, yesterday's crowd on course at Timaru was a very good one. There seemed to be people everywhere, no spare seats inside and there were plenty out in front of the stands enjoying the day. To me it had great atmosphere yesterday, far better than what I felt at Rangiora last week anyway. They are a good club Timaru, they put a lot into their meetings and should be commended for their efforts yesterday. The horse parading thing was a bit of a shame, but it was mentioned right throughout the day that a short wander down to the parade ring was the best to get up close and personal with the horses and plenty of people did just that. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterthepunter Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 horses don't parade at the concrete jungle any more is a shame 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rangatira Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 1 hour ago, hunterthepunter said: horses don't parade at the concrete jungle any more is a shame it is really hard to make a case for going Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterthepunter Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 1 hour ago, Rangatira said: it is really hard to make a case for going grandstand is nice when your in the members when sitting down feels like it is moving Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the galah Posted May 13, 2019 Author Share Posted May 13, 2019 (edited) 21 hours ago, Westview said: Sorry to have to correct you here but they were parading in the ring down by the stables which has good access to everyone I stated they weren't parading in the birdcage, which was correct. The parade ring is in front of the stables as I stated. Sure people could walk down to the parade ring,however some people are elderly and park close to the birdcage for that reason. As well it adds more to the atmosphere if the horses walk past the public on the way to the birdcage pre race. Did you notice if the public car park had been cleaned up. Last time I was there it had big mounds of dirt covering half of it along with machinery related to a business there. It always surprised me that they could have it in such a state with public access, given the focus put on health and safety issues these days. Counter punch believes the Timaru Club do a good job,so that's good to hear. My observations aren't about the racing side of things. Edited May 13, 2019 by the galah 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the galah Posted May 13, 2019 Author Share Posted May 13, 2019 (edited) ' Edited May 13, 2019 by the galah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westview Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 1 hour ago, the galah said: I stated they weren't parading in the birdcage, which was correct. The parade ring is in front of the stables as I stated. Sure people could walk down to the parade ring,however some people are elderly and park close to the birdcage for that reason. As well it adds more to the atmosphere if the horses walk past the public on the way to the birdcage pre race. Did you notice if the public car park had been cleaned up. Last time I was there it had big mounds of dirt covering half of it along with machinery related to a business there. It always surprised me that they could have it in such a state with public access, given the focus put on health and safety issues these days. Counter punch believes the Timaru Club do a good job,so that's good to hear. My observations aren't about the racing side of things. Car park was good for me , but didn't check out the other one. Sunday roast was good racing not so good , got beaten in the last maybe this week. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterthepunter Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 2 hours ago, the galah said: I stated they weren't parading in the birdcage, which was correct. The parade ring is in front of the stables as I stated. Sure people could walk down to the parade ring,however some people are elderly and park close to the birdcage for that reason. As well it adds more to the atmosphere if the horses walk past the public on the way to the birdcage pre race. Did you notice if the public car park had been cleaned up. Last time I was there it had big mounds of dirt covering half of it along with machinery related to a business there. It always surprised me that they could have it in such a state with public access, given the focus put on health and safety issues these days. Counter punch believes the Timaru Club do a good job,so that's good to hear. My observations aren't about the racing side of things. place is a shit hole horses should only race there as a Tuesday meeting country meeting stakes are poor and grounds are shocking 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Sunrise Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 2 hours ago, the galah said: Did you notice if the public car park had been cleaned up. Last time I was there it had big mounds of dirt covering half of it along with machinery related to a business there. It always surprised me that they could have it in such a state with public access, given the focus put on health and safety issues these days. Timaru is the worst track (along with Ashburton) to simply pull up to the rail and watch. A very small area is provided. The Timaru stand is ok and the inside facilities manageable which concentrates everyone in a small place. The parade ring is not seen from the stand and very few people ever wander down to see the horses. Like Ashburton, the horses seem miles away and make the horses look they are walking during the race. Waimate has the worst entrance by a country mile to get up beside the track. Like going off road but it is ok once you make it. Its vibe is ok. Methven is great except when they put up big tents which block the view from the bank. Oamaru is an excellent grass track venue but facilities are pretty mediocre. Parade ring is good if you make the effort to get there. Geraldine manages ok though on its Xmas meeting it is hard to see as the tents etc are so close to the fenceline. Rangiora does nothing for me at all. Maybe someone can say something nice. For me, any track that has a galloping track around it is doomed as a spectacle. A bit like greyhounds at QEII compared to watching at Addington lol. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the galah Posted May 13, 2019 Author Share Posted May 13, 2019 49 minutes ago, Westview said: Car park was good for me , but didn't check out the other one. Sunday roast was good racing not so good , got beaten in the last maybe this week. You cant have used the main car park as you could not miss what I was talking about. Its been like that for years from memory. Good luck with your horse qualifying for the jewels. 7 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said: Timaru is the worst track (along with Ashburton) to simply pull up to the rail and watch. A very small area is provided. The Timaru stand is ok and the inside facilities manageable which concentrates everyone in a small place. The parade ring is not seen from the stand and very few people ever wander down to see the horses. Like Ashburton, the horses seem miles away and make the horses look they are walking during the race. Waimate has the worst entrance by a country mile to get up beside the track. Like going off road but it is ok once you make it. Its vibe is ok. Methven is great except when they put up big tents which block the view from the bank. Oamaru is an excellent grass track venue but facilities are pretty mediocre. Parade ring is good if you make the effort to get there. Geraldine manages ok though on its Xmas meeting it is hard to see as the tents etc are so close to the fenceline. Rangiora does nothing for me at all. Maybe someone can say something nice. For me, any track that has a galloping track around it is doomed as a spectacle. A bit like greyhounds at QEII compared to watching at Addington lol. I agree with nearly everything you have said happy. As to rangiora, a one positive is you can get closer to the horses when they run a meeting on grass. I fully agree with your comment about tracks with a galloping track around them being doomed as a spectacle. I've always thought oe of the main reasons you get more spectators at the country grass track meetings is because of the close proximity of the horses pre race and during the race. Its just a better experience and viewing. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Sunrise Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 9 minutes ago, the galah said: I've always thought oe of the main reasons you get more spectators at the country grass track meetings is because of the close proximity of the horses pre race and during the race. Its just a better experience and viewing. Always felt Oamaru and Methven are the best viewing grass tracks. The Mot just a touch below them. Mot gets a lot of people due to its proximity to Chch gets the most people but Methven has the most pulling power pound for pound. Oamaru at its peak on a hot day is the best in my opinion with the changes in elevation of the track and the downhill run around the last bend makes it easy to see the horses. Add in the hill so close to the back straight it brings everything close. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flagship uberalles Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 1 hour ago, Happy Sunrise said: Timaru is the worst track (along with Ashburton) to simply pull up to the rail and watch. A very small area is provided. The Timaru stand is ok and the inside facilities manageable which concentrates everyone in a small place. The parade ring is not seen from the stand and very few people ever wander down to see the horses. Like Ashburton, the horses seem miles away and make the horses look they are walking during the race. Waimate has the worst entrance by a country mile to get up beside the track. Like going off road but it is ok once you make it. Its vibe is ok. Methven is great except when they put up big tents which block the view from the bank. Oamaru is an excellent grass track venue but facilities are pretty mediocre. Parade ring is good if you make the effort to get there. Geraldine manages ok though on its Xmas meeting it is hard to see as the tents etc are so close to the fenceline. Rangiora does nothing for me at all. Maybe someone can say something nice. For me, any track that has a galloping track around it is doomed as a spectacle. A bit like greyhounds at QEII compared to watching at Addington lol. Must agree, nothing worse for a spectator watching a trots that are inside a galloping track, I went to Moonee valley trots Many years ago, spoilt the whole experience! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rangatira Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 7 hours ago, hunterthepunter said: grandstand is nice when your in the members when sitting down feels like it is moving aftershocks ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rangatira Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 1 hour ago, Happy Sunrise said: A bit like greyhounds at QEII compared to watching at Addington lol. tredeka lass, airwoman, spanish bijou and steiny blue back when malcolm grant was malcolm hardaker and brodie was in his prime 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterthepunter Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 10 minutes ago, Rangatira said: tredeka lass, airwoman, spanish bijou and steiny blue back when malcolm grant was malcolm hardaker and brodie was in his prime was that Brodie 2yo filly that won at Invercargill other day ranga?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rangatira Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 1 minute ago, hunterthepunter said: was that Brodie 2yo filly that won at Invercargill other day ranga?? mmmmmm money in railway sleepers that is one of a few possibilities but i am not sold on it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterthepunter Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 1 minute ago, Rangatira said: mmmmmm money in railway sleepers that is one of a few possibilities but i am not sold on it likes yellow jackets blue diamonds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rangatira Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 not everyone can get away with wearing yellow i think trevor and greg chappell wore yellow that didn't end so well for trevor at least 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 Brodie still in his prime and always will be!, 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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